deter
[ dih-tur ]
/ dɪˈtɜr /
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verb (used with object), de·terred, de·ter·ring.
to discourage or restrain from acting or proceeding: The large dog deterred trespassers.
to prevent; check; arrest: timber treated with creosote to deter rot.
to repel: Strongly scented marigolds planted among the melons are supposed to deter beetles.
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Origin of deter
First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin dēterrēre “to discourage, put off, frighten,” equivalent to dē-, prefix and preposition + terrēre “to frighten, scare”; see de-
OTHER WORDS FROM deter
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use deter in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for deter
deter
/ (dɪˈtɜː) /
verb -ters, -terring or -terred
(tr) to discourage (from acting) or prevent (from occurring), usually by instilling fear, doubt, or anxiety
Derived forms of deter
determent, nounWord Origin for deter
C16: from Latin dēterrēre, from de- + terrēre to frighten
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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