threatening letters

pl. Law: Letters containing threats of various kinds: (1) Letters threatening to publish a libel upon any person, with intent to extort money or obtain some other advantage. (2) Letters demanding money or other property with menaces. (3) Letters threatening to accuse a person of a crirse, with intent to extort money. (4) Letters threatening to kill or murder any person. The sender of such letters is liable to imprisonment. threat-en-ing-ly, *threat-ning-ly, adv. [Eng. threatening; -ly. In a threatening manner; with a threat or menace. "The honor that thus flames in your fair eyes, Before I speak, too threateningly replies." Shakesp.: All's Well that Ends Well , ii. 3. threat'-fül, *threat full, a. [Eng. threat , s.; -full.] Full of threats; threatening, menacing. ""Here! turn here!' the threatful virgin cry'd." Brooke: Jerusalem Delivered, iii. threat-fül-ly, adv . [Eng. threatful; -ly.] In a threatful manner; with many threats; threateningly. *threat'-Ing, *thret-inge, s. [A. S. threating .] A threat; a threatening. *threat-le , a. [Eng. threat , s.; -le .] Without threats; not threatening. "Threat le their browes." Sylvester: The Captaines, 201.