threat

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threat †throng, troop; †oppression, affliction OE.; denunciation of evil to come (?OE.) XI. OE. þrēat m., cogn. with ON. þraut fem. struggle, labour, f. Gmc. *þraut- *þreut- *þrut-, base of OE. þrēatian (see below), þrēotan trouble, Du. verdrieten, weary, OHG. irdrioʒan vex (G. verdriessen) Goth. usþriutan trouble.
So vb. (arch. or dial.) OE. þrēatian, superseded by threaten (-EN5) †press, urge OE.; utter threats against XIII; be ominous (of) XVII. OE. þrēatnian.

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