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menace

threat, menace

noun meh-NAHS Less Common
Mind & Emotions Mental States

Origin: Latin minacia

Usage Note

Menace is the noun; the related verb is menacer ('to threaten'). The expression sous la menace means 'under threat'. In everyday speech, quelle menace! can be used hyperbolically about a person who is a handful or nuisance, similar to 'what a menace!'.

Examples

"La menace de grève plane sur l'entreprise."

Natural Translation

The threat of a strike hangs over the company.

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