endanger
UK[ɪnˈdeɪn(d)ʒə]US[ɪnˈdeɪndʒər]
v
To put someone or something in a situation where they are likely to be harmed or damaged.
Morpheme Breakdown
en
danger
en
cause to be
danger
power, jurisdiction, peril.
Etymology
The word "endanger" is a relatively modern English formation, constructed by applying the causative prefix "en-" to the existing noun "danger." The prefix, derived from Latin in-, signifies "to put into" a state. The core noun "danger" has a more complex history, originating from Old French dangier, which itself evolved from Vulgar Latin \dominiārium, meaning "power" or "lordship," related to Latin dominus (lord). Thus, the literal sense of "endanger" is "to put into the power or control (of a potentially hostile force)," which semantically narrowed to its current meaning of exposing to harm or risk.
Analysis
Structure: en (cause to be) + danger
- en: A prefix of French and Latin origin, meaning "to cause to be, put into, or make." It functions as a verb-forming prefix.
- danger: From Old French dangier, meaning "power, jurisdiction, peril." It functions as the core noun root.
Examples
The construction of the dam could endanger several rare species of fish.
Smoking during pregnancy endangers the health of the unborn child.
He would never do anything to endanger the lives of his colleagues.