Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MEN'ACE, v.t. [Fr. menacer; It. minacciare; Sp. amenazar; L. minor. The primary sense is to rush, throw or push forward. The sense is more clearly expressed by emineo and promineo, to jut forward, from the, same root. See Mind, which is of the same family.]

1. To threaten; to express or show a disposition or determination to inflict punishment or other evil. The combined powers menaced France with war on every side.
2. To show or manifest the probability of future evil or danger to. The spirit of insubordination menaced Spain with the horrors of civil war.
3. To exhibit the appearance of any catastrophe to come; as, a hanging rock menaces a fall, or menaces the plain or the inhabitants below.