v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Endangered p. pr. & vb. n. Endangering. ] 1. To put to hazard; to bring into danger or peril; to expose to loss or injury; as, to endanger life or peace. [ 1913 Webster ]

All the other difficulties of his reign only exercised without endangering him. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To incur the hazard of; to risk. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

He that turneth the humors back . . . endangereth malign ulcers. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Being in a condition or situation where life or serious harm is possible; in danger; at risk. [ PJC ]

2. Small in numbers, with significant possibility of extinction; -- of species. [ PJC ]

n. sing. & pl. A species of plant or animal that has declined in numbers to a point where further irreversible decline and extinction{ 3 } has a significant chance. Lists of endangered species are maintained by government agencies, and in many cases the killing of such species or destruction of their habitat is prohibited by law. In the U. S. in recent years, development of certain tracts of land has been prohibited due to the likelihood that it will cause a reduction in the numbers of an endangered species. In some cases environmental organizations have initiated litigation to cause the courts to rule that a certain development plan is illegal due to a threat to an endangered species. Laws protecting endangered species have become in some cases a contentious political issue. [ PJC ]

n. Hazard; peril. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]