threat·en /ˈθrɛtṇ/
 (vt.)威脅,恐嚇,恫嚇;預示…的凶兆(vi.)威脅,恐嚇,恫嚇;似將發生,可能來臨
 Threat·en v. t. [imp. & p. p. Threatened p. pr. & vb. n. Threatening.]
 1. To utter threats against; to menace; to inspire with apprehension; to alarm, or attempt to alarm, as with the promise of something evil or disagreeable; to warn.
    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.
 The skies look grimly
 And threaten present blusters.   --Shak.
 Syn: -- To menace.
 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.
 Threat·en, v. i. To use threats, or menaces; also, to have a threatening appearance.
    Though the seas threaten, they are merciful.   --Shak.
 ◄ ►
 threaten
      v 1: pose a threat to; present a danger to; "The pollution is
           endangering the crops" [syn: endanger, jeopardize, jeopardise,
            menace, imperil, peril]
      2: to utter intentions of injury or punishment against:"He
         threatened me when I tried to call the police"
      3: to be a menacing indication of something:"The clouds
         threaten rain"; "Danger threatens"