Danger

Danger Dan"ger, n. [OE. danger, daunger, power, arrogance, refusal, difficulty, fr. OF. dagier, dongier (with same meaning), F. danger danger, fr. an assumed LL. dominiarium power, authority, from L. dominium power, property. See {Dungeon}, {Domain}, {Dame}.] 1. Authority; jurisdiction; control. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

In dangerhad he . . . the young girls. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

2. Power to harm; subjection or liability to penalty. [Obs.] See {In one's danger}, below. [1913 Webster]

You stand within his danger, do you not? --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Covetousness of gains hath brought [them] in dangerof this statute. --Robynson (More's Utopia). [1913 Webster]

3. Exposure to injury, loss, pain, or other evil; peril; risk; insecurity. [1913 Webster]

4. Difficulty; sparingness. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

5. Coyness; disdainful behavior. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

{In one's danger}, in one's power; liable to a penalty to be inflicted by him. [Obs.] This sense is retained in the proverb, ``Out of debt out of danger.'' [1913 Webster]

Those rich man in whose debt and danger they be not. --Robynson (More's Utopia).

{To do danger}, to cause danger. [Obs.] --Shak.

Syn: Peril; hazard; risk; jeopardy.

Usage: {Danger}, {Peril}, {Hazard}, {Risk}, {Jeopardy}. Danger is the generic term, and implies some contingent evil in prospect. Peril is instant or impending danger; as, in peril of one's life. Hazard arises from something fortuitous or beyond our control; as, the hazard of the seas. Risk is doubtful or uncertain danger, often incurred voluntarily; as, to risk an engagement. Jeopardy is extreme danger. Danger of a contagious disease; the perils of shipwreck; the hazards of speculation; the risk of daring enterprises; a life brought into jeopardy. [1913 Webster]