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life-threatening — causing or likely to cause death; extremely dangerous to life

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: causing or likely to cause death; extremely dangerous to life

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈlaɪf ˌθretənɪŋ/

Example Sentences

  • His fear of vegetables was so severe that doctors considered it life-threatening malnutrition.
  • The surgeon successfully treated the life-threatening head trauma.
  • She claimed that running out of coffee was a life-threatening situation for her productivity.

life-threatening

ADJECTIVE

[/ˈlaɪf ˌθretənɪŋ/]

causing or likely to cause death; extremely dangerous to life

The surgeon races against time to treat a life-threatening wound on the battlefield.
💡 Concept

The surgeon races against time to treat a life-threatening wound on the battlefield.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈlaɪf ˌθretənɪŋ/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈlaɪf ˌθretənɪŋ/

🌳Etymology

Rootlife
Suffix-threatening

Origin

This compound word combines Old English 'lif' (life, living person) with 'threatening', derived from Old English 'thrætian' (to press, crowd, or threaten). The term evolved into modern medical terminology to describe conditions or situations that pose danger to human life.

Breakdown

life (Old English 'lif', meaning living existence) + threatening (present participle of 'threaten', from Old English 'thrætian', meaning to press or endanger).

🎵Rhyme

threatening
menacing
frightening

🔗Collocations

life-threatening condition
life-threatening disease
life-threatening emergency
life-threatening allergic reaction
life-threatening complications
potentially life-threatening

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“His fear of vegetables was so severe that doctors considered it life-threatening malnutrition.”

“The surgeon successfully treated the life-threatening head trauma.”

😄 Fun example

“She claimed that running out of coffee was a life-threatening situation for her productivity.”

“The patient's life-threatening asthma attack required immediate intervention.”

📚Related Words

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