Meaning of on pain of | Babel Free

Definitions

Used to warn of consequences if a specified act is done or not done: subject to the punishment of (some penalty); or (generally) subject to the circumstance of (some thing).

Equivalents

Examples

“On paine of death, no perſon be ſo bold, Or daring, hardy, as to touch the liſtes, Except the Martiall and ſuch officers Appoynted to direct theſe faire deſignes.”

“[N]o flattery for't: No lick-foote, paine of looſing your proboſcis:[…]”

“Seb[astian]. […] [M]y duty, then, To interpoſe; on pain of my diſpleasure, Betwixt your Swords[.] Dor[ax]. On pain of Infamy He ſhould have diſobey'd.”

“Translated, it was a warning to the Claytons to refrain from reporting the loss of the revolvers, or from repeating what the old sailor had told them—to refrain on pain of death.”

“The White Queen is offered for sacrifice six times in succession, and must be refused each time on pain of checkmate!”

CEFR level