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mi·na·cious

(mĭ-nāshəs)

adj.

Of a menacing or threatening nature; minatory.

[Latin mināx, mināc- (from minārī, to threaten, from minae, threats; see men-² in the Appendix of Indo-European roots) + -IOUS.]

mi·nacious·ly adv.

mi·nacious·ness, mi·naci·ty (mĭ-năsĭ-tē) n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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