daunt

Definition

To discourage, intimidate.

Etymology

From Middle English daunten, from Old French danter, donter (“to tame”), from Latin domitō (“tame”, verb), frequentative of Latin domō (“tame, conquer”, verb), from Proto-Italic *domaō, from Proto-Indo-European *demh₂- (“to domesticate, tame”). Doublet of dompt.

Example Sentences

• "[The English] valiantly, and with the ſlaughter of many, put backe the enemy: which was ſo farre from daunting the Normans, that by it they were more whetted to re-enforce themſelues vpon them[…]"
• "Death I'll meet, my soul no terrors daunting, Take the life for which thy heart is panting, Spare not thou, though he spare, his life granting, Or let death end us both at a blow."
• "No, I shall not disgrace the Cause, I shall not grieve my comrades by weak surrender! I will fight and struggle, and not be daunted by threat or torture."