daunt

Pronunciation: /dɔːnt/ (American English)

Origin: Middle English, from Old French "danter," ultimately from Latin "domitare," meaning "to tame"

Part of Speech: verb

Meanings:

1. To intimidate or discourage someone, causing them to lose confidence or hesitate
2. To overcome or conquer with fear

Example Sentences:

1. The steep climb didn't daunt the experienced hikers.
2. She was daunted by the complex mathematics problem.
3. His determination was not daunted by repeated failures.

Related Words:

• Noun: daunter
• Adjective: daunting, dauntless (fearless)
• Adverb: dauntingly, dauntlessly
• Synonyms: intimidate, discourage, dishearten, unnerve, cow

Memorization Trick: Remember "daunt" by thinking of a "daunting taunt." Imagine someone taunting you with a challenge so intimidating that it makes you hesitate or lose confidence. The word "daunt" is hidden within "daunting," reinforcing its meaning of intimidation or discouragement.