Endangerment

/ɪnˈdeɪndʒɚmənt/ noun

Definition

The act of putting someone or something in danger or risk of harm.

Etymology

From 'endanger' (to put in danger) plus the suffix '-ment,' which turns verbs into nouns describing actions or states. 'Endanger' comes from Old French 'endangier,' combining 'en-' (in) and 'danger' (peril).

Kelly Says

The legal term 'child endangerment' changed child protection laws worldwide—it created a way to prosecute people for risking harm even if actual injury hadn't occurred yet. The word itself helped invent modern preventive protection.

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