threatenthreat•en /'θret(ə)n/

vt

1. 恐吓；威胁

• Nuclear weapons threaten the peace and security of the world. 核武器威胁着世界的和平与安全。

• The robber threatened him with a gun. 那强盗用枪恐吓他。

• They threatened to make the photos public. 他们恐吓说要把那些照片公开。

2. 有…凶兆

• The dark clouds threaten rain. 那些乌云是下雨的征兆。

vi

1. 恐吓；威胁

• I don't mean to threaten. 我没有威胁的意思。

2. 构成威胁；似将发生

• The buildinges and bridges in the coastal town were unable to avoid severe damage should a typhoon threaten. 若遇有台风，这个海边城镇就不免有许多建筑物和桥梁遭受到严重损坏。