Let us straitly threaten them, that they speak
henceforth to no man in this name. --Acts iv. 17.
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.
The skies look grimly And threaten present blusters.
--Shak.
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.
By turns put on the suppliant and the lord:
Threatened this moment, and the next implored.
--Prior.
Of the sharp ax Regardless, that o'er his
devoted head Hangs menacing. --Somerville.
{Threatening letters} (Law), letters containing threats,
especially those designed to extort money, or to obtain
other property, by menaces; blackmailing letters.