dangier

power, control, power to harm

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Loose heavy flowerpot teeters on high narrow ledge above empty walkway, visible crack and falling small pebble imply possible harm before accident; no injured person, sparse wall fragment.

noun

danger

DAYN-jur/ˈdeɪndʒər/

A possibility of harm.

Etymology

dangerOld Frenchpower, control, power to harm

Old French dangier meant power or control, including the power to harm. Being under someone else’s control provided the bridge to the modern meaning of exposure to injury, loss, or other harm.

Full entry

Related word entries

danger