threshold

Word Origin & History

Old English þrescold, þærscwold, þerxold "doorsill, point of entering," first element related to Old English þrescan (see thresh), with its original sense of "tread, trample." Second element of unknown origin and much transformed in all the Germanic languages; in English it probably has been altered to conform to hold, but the oft-repeated story that the threshold was a barrier placed at the doorway to hold the chaff flooring in the room is mere folk etymology. Cognates include Old Norse þreskjoldr, Swedish tröskel, Old High German driscufli, German dialectal drischaufel.

Example Sentences forthreshold

Banstead lingered by the threshold and took up an illustrated paper.

He rose, saw Katherine, Austin, and Viviette on the threshold.

She was upon her knees on the threshold—her arms crossed over her breast.

As he crossed the threshold, he turned round and blessed me.

His torch will be at the threshold and his knife at the throat of the planter.

Kirkwood, watching and following to the threshold, inserted the key.

Now, when the Alderman saw that strange round thing at his threshold he was afraid.

He was no sooner over the threshold than she slammed the door shut, in spite of the heat.

On the threshold, she turned back and looked again at his face.

John opened the door; the faithful servant was waiting on the threshold.

threshold

edges

entrance

entries

entry

eve

incipience

incipiency

leadoff

threshold

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