deterrent, a. and n.
(dɪˈtɛrənt)
[ad. L. dēterrēnt-em, pr. pple. of dēterrēre to deter: see -ent.]
A. adj. Deterring; that deters, or has the power or tendency to deter.
| 1829 Bentham's Ration. Punishments (L.), The deterrent effect of such penalties. 1861 W. L. Clay Mem. J. Clay 210 The influence of a deterrent policy is the greatest on professional criminals. 1884 Times 16 Oct. 10 The influence of favourable or deterrent weather. |
B. n. Something that deters; a deterring agent. Esp. the nuclear weapons of any one country or alliance; spec., the hydrogen bomb. Freq. the (great) deterrent. Also attrib. and Comb.
| 1829 Bentham's Ration. Punishments (L.), No deterrent is more effective than a punishment which..is sure, speedy, and severe. 1829 Southey in Q. Rev. XLI. 196 Operating as a provocative to many—as a deterrent, perhaps, to none. 1855 H. Spencer Princ. Psychol. I. ii. ix. (1872) 281 Feelings that serve as incentives and deterrents. 1892 Speaker 3 Sept. 277/1 The death penalty is no deterrent of adventure, nor even of pastime. 1954 Statement on Defence p. 4 in Parl. Papers 1953–54 XXII. 474 The primary deterrent, however, remains the atomic bomb and the ability of the highly organised and trained United States strategic air power to use it. 1954 New Statesman 14 Aug. 173/2 The theory and practice of the Great Deterrent is in fair way to becoming the theory and practice of the Great Bluff. 1955 Ibid. 26 Feb. 271/1 The Government has concurred in the Nato decision to rely on nuclear weapons and begun itself to manufacture a British H-bomb. It admits..that this leaves the United Kingdom well-nigh defenceless if the deterrent fails. 1957 J. Slessor (title) The great deterrent. 1958 Punch 27 Aug. 275/1 A lot of good that would do the human race, with..the stockpile of deterrents rising as high as the Empire State Building. 1959 Times Lit. Suppl. 9 Jan. 17/3 The theory of the H-bomb as a deterrent. 1959 Observer 14 June 16/2 Britain should also be prepared to give up her independent deterrent and stop the manufacture of nuclear weapons. 1962 Listener 29 Mar. 548/1 There is no sign..to suggest that the Great Powers will be able to abandon deterrent strategy in the forseeable future. 1963 Economist 12 Oct. 101/1 Restraint on German ‘deterrent-mongers’. |