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deterrent

1829, adjective ("having the power or tendency to deter") and noun ("that which deters or tends to deter"), in Bentham, from Latin deterrentem, present participle of deterrere "to frighten from, discourage from," from de "away" (see de-) + terrere "frighten, fill with fear" (see terrible). In reference to nuclear weapons, from 1954.

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Definitions of deterrent from WordNet
1
deterrent (n.)
something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress;
2
deterrent (adj.)
tending to deter;
the deterrent effects of high prices
From wordnet.princeton.edu