danger

n. [ OE. danger, daunger, power, arrogance, refusal, difficulty, fr. OF. dagier, dongier (with same meaning), F. danger danger, fr. an assumed LL. dominiarium power, authority, from L. dominium power, property. See Dungeon, Domain, Dame. ] 1. Authority; jurisdiction; control. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

In dangerhad he . . . the young girls. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Power to harm; subjection or liability to penalty. [ Obs. ] See In one's danger, below. [ 1913 Webster ]

You stand within his danger, do you not? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Covetousness of gains hath brought [ them ] in dangerof this statute. Robynson (More's Utopia). [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Exposure to injury, loss, pain, or other evil; peril; risk; insecurity. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Difficulty; sparingness. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Coyness; disdainful behavior. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

In one's danger, in one's power; liable to a penalty to be inflicted by him. [ Obs. ] This sense is retained in the proverb, “Out of debt out of danger.” [ 1913 Webster ] Those rich man in whose debt and danger they be not. Robynson (More's Utopia). --
To do danger, to cause danger. [ Obs. ] Shak.

Syn. -- Peril; hazard; risk; jeopardy. -- Danger, Peril, Hazard, Risk, Jeopardy. Danger is the generic term, and implies some contingent evil in prospect. Peril is instant or impending danger; as, in peril of one's life. Hazard arises from something fortuitous or beyond our control; as, the hazard of the seas. Risk is doubtful or uncertain danger, often incurred voluntarily; as, to risk an engagement. Jeopardy is extreme danger. Danger of a contagious disease; the perils of shipwreck; the hazards of speculation; the risk of daring enterprises; a life brought into jeopardy. [ 1913 Webster ]