minatory

[ min-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

adjective

1. menacing; threatening.

minatory

/ ˈmɪnətərɪ; -trɪ /

adjective

1. threatening or menacing

Derived Forms

• ˈminatorily, adverb

Other Words From

• mina·tori·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of minatory¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Late Latin minātōrius “threatening,” from mināt(us), past participle of minārī “to threaten” ( menace ) + -ōrius -ory ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of minatory¹

C16: from Late Latin minātōrius, from Latin minārī to threaten

Example Sentences

But was it in virtue of his seeing armed Phantasms of St. Edmund 'on the rim of the horizon,' looking minatory on him?

From Project Gutenberg

His features had lost their delicately benevolent aspect; his words were minatory.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet'—and he made his voice minatory—'in these evil and tickle times well it might have been that that letter held delicate news.

From Project Gutenberg

But their protests became more urgent as we went on, their tone less minatory.

From Project Gutenberg

She had requested the Pope to issue a minatory brief forbidding Parliament to meddle with her.

From Project Gutenberg