Dictionary-Definition.com :: Threatened definition

Definition of 'threatened'

adjective

(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered; "the spotted owl is a threatened species, not yet an endangered one"

From: GCIDE

Threaten \Threat"en\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Threatened; p. pr. & vb. n. Threatening.] [OE. [thorn]retenen. See Threat, v. t.]
1. To utter threats against; to menace; to inspire with apprehension; to alarm, or attempt to alarm, as with the promise of something evil or disagreeable; to warn. [1913 Webster]
Let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. --Acts iv. 17. [1913 Webster]
2. To exhibit the appearance of (something evil or unpleasant) as approaching; to indicate as impending; to announce the conditional infliction of; as, to threaten war; to threaten death. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
The skies look grimly And threaten present blusters. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
Syn: To menace.
Usage: Threaten, Menace. Threaten is Anglo-Saxon, and menace is Latin. As often happens, the former is the more familiar term; the latter is more employed in formal style. We are threatened with a drought; the country is menaced with war. [1913 Webster]
By turns put on the suppliant and the lord: Threatened this moment, and the next implored. --Prior. [1913 Webster]
Of the sharp ax Regardless, that o'er his devoted head Hangs menacing. --Somerville. [1913 Webster]