Associations to the word «Deter»

Wiktionary

DETER, verb. (transitive) To prevent something from happening.
DETER, verb. (transitive) To persuade someone not to do something; to discourage.

Dictionary definition

DETER, verb. Try to prevent; show opposition to; "We should discourage this practice among our youth".
DETER, verb. Turn away from by persuasion; "Negative campaigning will only dissuade people".

Wise words

Words are always getting conventionalized to some secondary meaning. It is one of the works of poetry to take the truants in custody and bring them back to their right senses.
William Butler Yeats