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Deter

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to discourage

Where does the word "deter" come from? It comes from Latin deterrere, adopted directly into English (1570s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
deterrere
Latin · ancient
"to frighten off"
'de-' plus 'terrere', to frighten
2
Stage 2 of 2
deter
English · 1570s
"to frighten off"
'nuclear deterrent' dates from the 1950s
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Read the full story

Deter’s story begins in Latin: deterrere meant “to frighten off.” 'de-' plus 'terrere', to frighten. It reached English by 1570s as deter. 'nuclear deterrent' dates from the 1950s. Today, deter means to discourage.