v., -terred, -ter·ring, -ters. v.tr.
To prevent or discourage from acting, as by means of fear or doubt: "Does negotiated disarmament deter war?" (Edward Teller). See synonyms at dissuade.
v.intr.
To prevent or discourage the occurrence of an action, as by means of fear or doubt: "It's this edge that gives nuclear weapons their power to deter" (Thomas Powers).
[Latin dēterrēre : dē-, de- + terrēre, to frighten.]
determent de·ter'ment n.deterrable de·ter'ra·ble adj.
deterrer de·ter'rer n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
