threshold
IPA
Definition of 'threshold'
A point of entry, transition, or boundary that marks a significant change, transition, or beginning.
"He stood at the threshold of his new home, eager to start his new life."
Detailed Meaning of 'threshold'
It can refer to the physical entrance or doorway of a building or room, the point at which one crosses from the outside world into an enclosed space. In a broader sense, it can refer to any point of change or transition, such as the threshold of a new era or a new chapter in one's life. The term can also be used to describe a limit or point of tolerance, as in the threshold of pain or the threshold of sound. In many contexts, the threshold is seen as a critical point of decision, marking a significant change in the status quo and requiring a deliberate choice on the part of the individual or group crossing it.
Examples of 'threshold' in a Sentence
1. She stood at the threshold of a new chapter in her life.
2. The threshold of the old house creaked under their footsteps.
3. We're on the threshold of a technological revolution.
4. The threshold between childhood and adolescence can be challenging.
5. His courage crossed the threshold of fear in that moment.
6. The threshold for success is often perseverance.
Origins & Etymology of 'threshold'
The noun 'threshold' has a fascinating etymology rooted in Old English. It can be traced back to the Old English word 'þrescold,' which referred to the sill or doorstep of a doorway. This Old English term is believed to have Proto-Germanic origins, stemming from 'þreskaldaz,' where 'þres' meant 'through' or 'across,' and 'kaldaz' meant 'cold' or 'cool.' In ancient times, doorways were often drafty, and the threshold marked the boundary between the outside and inside, a point of transition. Over time, 'threshold' evolved to symbolize any point of entry, transition, or boundary that marks a significant change or beginning, capturing the essence of its etymological roots in the transition from outside to inside.
Synonyms
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