the.com/menace
A threat that's auditioning for the role of chaos, often badly.
means A person, thing, or force that poses a danger or threat to someone or something.
from From Old French 'menace,' tracing back to Latin 'minacia' (threats), rooted in 'minax' (threatening), which comes from 'minari' meaning to threaten or jut out menacingly. That same Latin root gave English 'menacing' and is a cousin of 'eminent' and 'prominent' — all sharing the idea of something jutting or looming forward, whether a mountain peak or a raised fist.
- origin
- from latin minacia, meaning threats
- usage shift
- now often said with affection, not fear
- dennis the menace
- made the word practically a compliment
- legal term
- can mean credible danger to public safety