Menaced

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To face the possibility of danger that could result in harm while experiencing a sense of intimidation or fear related to that danger
2. To encounter a situation in which one feels at risk of harm or injury, often accompanied by feelings of anxiety
3. Exposed to the threat of injury or damage causing fear or concern

Etymology: "Menaced" is the past tense and past participle of "menace," a verb that came into English in the early 1300s, first as "manacen," borrowed from Old French "menacer." Behind the French lies Late Latin "minacia," meaning threat, and before that Latin "minax," meaning threatening. The French forms were built on a Vulgar Latin verb reconstructed as "minaciare," so the English verb is essentially a French verb that arrived carrying its Latin threat along with it. The Latin root "minax" comes from "minari," to threaten or to project menacing words, a verb that also shows up in "mine" in the sense of an overhanging threat. The Latin noun "minacia" ended up in English through Middle English "manace," which is why the English noun and verb sound so close to the word "manacle," even though the two are unrelated: "manacle" comes from a different Latin source, "manicula," meaning a small handle.

Synonyms: threatened, endangered, jeopardized, periled, harmed

Antonyms: protected, safeguarded, defended, secured