deter

[ dih-tur ]

verb (used with object)

, de·terred, de·ter·ring.

1. to discourage or restrain from acting or proceeding:

   The large dog deterred trespassers.

2. to prevent; check; arrest:

   timber treated with creosote to deter rot.

3. to repel:

   Strongly scented marigolds planted among the melons are supposed to deter beetles.

deter

/ dɪˈtɜː /

verb

1. tr to discourage (from acting) or prevent (from occurring), usually by instilling fear, doubt, or anxiety

Derived Forms

• deˈterment, noun

Other Words From

• de·ter·ment noun
• de·ter·ra·ble adjective
• de·ter·ra·bil·i·ty [dih-tur-, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], noun
• de·ter·rer noun
• un·de·ter·ra·bil·i·ty noun
• un·de·ter·ra·ble adjective
• un·de·ter·ra·bly adverb
• un·de·ter·ring adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of deter¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin dēterrēre “to discourage, put off, frighten,” equivalent to dē-, prefix and preposition + terrēre “to frighten, scare”; de-

Word History and Origins

Origin of deter¹

C16: from Latin dēterrēre, from de- + terrēre to frighten

Related Words

• avert
• block
• dampen
• daunt
• discourage
• dissuade
• forestall
• frighten
• hinder
• impede
• intimidate
• obstruct
• preclude
• prevent
• prohibit
• restrain
• scare
• stop