Determent
/dɪˈtɜːrmənt/noun
Something that deters or prevents an action, especially by creating fear of consequences.
Did you know?Its root is the same Latin verb behind “terror,” “terrify,” and “terrible,” linking deterrence to the ancient idea that fear can drive danger away.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
terrēre
“to frighten or cause terror”
Classical Latin
Latin
dēterrēre
“to frighten away or discourage”
Late Latin / Medieval Latin
Latin
dēterrēmentum
“an act or means of deterring”
15th–16th Century
English
determent
“A cause or means of deterring; a deterrent”
Modern English
English
determent
“A rare or obsolete synonym for deterrent”