Etymology From Middle English daunger (“power, dominion, peril”), from Anglo-Norman dangier, from Old French dangier, alteration of Old French dongier (due to association with Latin damnum (“damage”)) from Vulgar Latin *dominārium (“authority, power”) from Latin dominus (“lord, master”). Displaced native Old English frēcennes.
Exposure to likely harm; risk of death or serious injury.
There's plenty of danger in the desert.
Danger is a good teacher, and makes apt scholars.1821, William Hazlitt, “Essay IX. The Indian Jugglers.”, in Table-Talk; or, Original Essays, volume I, London: John Warren, […], →OCLC, page 187:
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The Owl is flying high, frightening to the eye. The Rattler is nearby, Cool is on the fly. Danger is his business.1966, “Cool McCool (theme song)”, Bernie Green (music) (Cool McCool (television series)), performed by Bob McFadden:
We determined that the car driver’s transportation of multiple teen passengers, limited driving experience, and likely impairment from effects of cannabis at the time of the crash adversely affected her judgment of the danger of entering the intersection in front of the approaching combination vehicle.2024, NTSB, Intersection Crash Between Passenger Car and Combination Vehicle, Tishomingo, Oklahoma, March 22, 2022:
Huntingdon's ferocity makes the reaction of staff all the more brave. To move towards danger when others are fleeing is the definition of bravery in my book. To place yourself in danger to protect others.2025 November 12, Philip Haigh, “High praise for rail staff's courage and clear thinking”, in RAIL, number 1048, page 50:
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An instance or cause of likely serious harm.
1st September 1884, William Gladstone, Second Midlothian Speech Two territorial questions […] unsettled […] each of which was a positive danger to the peace of Europe.
We put a Sting in him, / That at his will he may doe danger with.1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Iulius Cæsar”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]:
The north signal was at danger because of the rockslide.
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Obsolete Ability to harm; someone's dominion or power to harm or penalise. See in one's danger, below.
You stand within his danger, do you not?c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i], page 180:
Covetousness of gains hath brought [them] in danger of this statute.1551, Thomas More, “(please specify the Internet Archive page)”, in Raphe Robynson [i.e., Ralph Robinson], transl., A Fruteful, and Pleasaunt Worke of the Best State of a Publyque Weale, and of the Newe Yle Called Utopia: […], London: […] [Steven Mierdman for] Abraham Vele, […], →OCLC:
They of Coloyne made grete daunger to lete passe the oost thrughe the Cite at brydge.1500, Melusine:
I made daunger of it a while at first, but afterward beyng persuaded by them..I promised to do as they would haue me.1570, A. Dalaber, J. Foxe Actes & Monuments:
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I shall make danger, sure.1652, John Fletcher, The Wild-Goose Chase:
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UK, Derogatory A contemptible person, especially one seen as perverted or mentally ill.
Pineapple and pizza. ONLY JOKING YOU FUCKING DANGER.2017 July 28, Gary Ogden, “Ridiculous food combinations that are actually really tasty”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name):
Why did the chicken cross the road? "To try and get away from you, you absolute danger. I've heard all about you posh boy Etonians and farmyard animals"2019 July 31, Oonagh Keating, quoting Stephen Patten, “We asked you to caption a photo of Boris Johnson holding a chicken – our 19 favourites”, in The Poke:
Etymology From Middle English daunger (“power, dominion, peril”), from Anglo-Norman dangier, from Old French dangier, alteration of Old French dongier (due to association with Latin damnum (“damage”)) from Vulgar Latin *dominārium (“authority, power”) from Latin dominus (“lord, master”). Displaced native Old English frēcennes.
The sides o'th' world may danger. Much is breedingc. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii]: