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intimidate

/ɪnˈtɪmɪdeɪt/ verb

Latin root: intimidātus Wiktionary

verb Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about intimidate at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

  1. Make timid or fearful.
    Her boss intimidates her
  2. To compel or deter by or as if by threats.

Origin

From Medieval Latin intimidātus, perfect passive participle of Latin intimidō (“to intimidate, terrify”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from in- (“in”) + timidus (“afraid, timid”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix); see timid.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)