Wordsmith.org: the magic of words


A.Word.A.Day

About | Media | Search | Contact  


Home

Today's Word

Yesterday's Word

Archives

FAQ


Jul 23, 2009
This week's theme
Miscellaneous words

This week's words
equanimity
assiduous
disinter
minatory
expatiate

Got a website?
Free content for your site
Words, quotations & more
Discuss
Feedback
RSS/XML
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg

minatory

PRONUNCIATION:
(MIN-uh-tor-ee, MYN-)

MEANING:
adjective: Threatening or menacing.

ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin minari (to threaten), from minae (threats). Ultimately from the Indo-European root men- (project) that is also the source of menace, mountain, eminent, promenade, demean, amenable, and mouth.

USAGE:
"France has seldom assumed a minatory posture towards India, being much less inclined than other major countries to hector, or push and prod in an attempt to influence policy."
The Statesman (New Delhi, India); Jan 31, 2008.

See more usage examples of minatory in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
The best armor is to keep out of gunshot. -Francis Bacon, essayist, philosopher, and statesman (1561-1626)

What they say

“Only Anu Garg, the founder of Wordsmith.org, can make word facts this much fun.”
Read more

St. Petersburg Times


More articles

Anu Garg on words

“Each word has a story.”

We need your help

Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere

Donate

Subscriber Services
Awards | Stats | Links | Privacy Policy
Contribute | Advertise

© 1994-2025 Wordsmith