The word "daunt" is spelled as dɔːnt in the IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable is pronounced as "dawn" with the "aw" sound. The "u" in the second syllable is silent, and the "n" is pronounced like any other "n" sound. "Daunt" is a verb that means to intimidate, discourage or frighten someone. For example, a challenging assignment might daunt a student, making them anxious and doubtful about their abilities.
Daunt is a verb that can be defined as the act of intimidating, discouraging, or disheartening someone, causing them to lose courage or become fearful. It refers to the process of instilling fear or apprehension in someone, usually by presenting them with a challenging or overwhelming situation or obstacle.
To daunt someone means to make them feel overwhelmed or intimidated to the point where their resolve or confidence diminishes. This feeling of intimidation can arise from various sources, including physical threats, mental or emotional pressure, or obstacles that seem insurmountable. Individuals or situations that possess greater power, strength, or authority often daunt others due to their ability to inspire fear or uncertainty.
When a person is daunted, they may experience feelings of anxiety, apprehension, or self-doubt, which can hinder their ability to confront the challenge or persevere. However, it is worth noting that being daunted does not necessarily imply complete surrender or resignation. Some people may find the strength to overcome their fears and persevere despite feeling daunted.
Overall, the term daunt is used to describe an action that undermines someone's confidence or courage through intimidation, causing them to feel overwhelmed or fearful.
To dishearten; to discourage; to check by fear; to dismay.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word daunt comes from the Old French danter, which means to tame; to dominate. This Old French word is derived from the Latin verb domitare, which shares the same meaning. Ultimately, daunt can be traced back to the Latin word domare, meaning to subdue; to tame.