Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

on pain of

/ɑn ˈpeɪn əv/

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: Zipf frequency 5.02 in modern English

Syllables: on -pain of
IPA: /ɑn ˈpeɪn əv/

13

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

prep

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).

Example Sentences

"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!"

Etymology

From on + pain (“suffering inflicted as punishment or penalty”) + of; compare French sous peine de.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ɑn ˈpeɪn əv/
British English: /ɒn ˈpeɪn əv/

Phrases

at the risk of

Frequently Paired Words

at the risk of

Synonyms

under pain of upon pain of

Questions

How do you pronounce on pain of?: The recorded pronunciation is /ɑn ˈpeɪn əv/.
What does on pain of mean?: 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).
Where does on pain of come from?: From on + pain (“suffering inflicted as punishment or penalty”) + of; compare French sous peine de.

How to pronounce on pain of

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