The Collaborative International Dictionary
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.]
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Authority; jurisdiction; control. [Obs.]
In dangerhad he . . . the young girls.
--Chaucer. -
Power to harm; subjection or liability to penalty. [Obs.] See In one's danger, below.
You stand within his danger, do you not?
--Shak.Covetousness of gains hath brought [them] in dangerof this statute.
--Robynson (More's Utopia). Exposure to injury, loss, pain, or other evil; peril; risk; insecurity.
Difficulty; sparingness. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.-
Coyness; disdainful behavior. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.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.''
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.