Everyone knows the expression "on the threshold of a new life." It implies that the time has come for change, and is associated with a joyful and yet unknown future. What is a “threshold” in the literal sense of the word, in what other contexts can it be used, and what are the rules for its declension? More on that later.
Meaning
Linguists distinguish up to four main meanings of the word "threshold". Two of them are direct, and two more are portable. The word is quite common in everyday speech, as it denotes an element of a domestic interior.
1. A transverse rectangular beam located at the bottom of the doorway. In this context, the expressions "to step on/to cross the threshold" are known. The meaning of the word is direct and most common in everyday speech.
Examples:
- Before she stepped through the threshold, the children swooped in noisily, asking for gifts.
- There is a popular belief that one should not pass anything over the threshold.
2. A rocky or rocky section of a river with a drop in water level and a fast current. Most often shallow water zone.
Examples:
- The boat got stuck in a narrow riverbed with shallow and sharp rapids.
- Thresholds can be formed by the outcrop of rocks on the surface, and reach heights of several meters.
3. The beginning, boundary, or threshold of something. In this case, it is used figuratively.
Examples:
- He has reached the threshold of a new age threshold and the associated changes in perception.
- On the threshold of change, it is difficult to contain strong emotions.
4. The smallest value that is the boundary of the manifestation of something.
Examples:
- The minimum sound pressure value is called the hearing threshold.
- The threshold of consciousness is what separates the conscious and the unconscious in human mental activity.
Morphological and syntactic features
The word "threshold", the meaning of which was discussed above, is a noun, inanimate, masculine and of the 2nd type of declension.
Root: -threshold-. According to A. A. Zaliznyak belongs to the type of declension 3a.
Singular number:
| Name | threshold |
| R. | threshold |
| D. | threshold |
| V. | threshold |
| TV. | threshold |
| Ex. | threshold |
Plural:
| Name | thresholds |
| R. | thresholds |
| D. | thresholds |
| V. | thresholds |
| TV. | thresholds |
| Ex. | thresholds |
Synonyms
Synonyms for the word "threshold" include the following words: limit, step, border, beginning, break, bar, magnitude, threshold, elevation. Each of them can be correlated with the main meaning in different contexts. What is a threshold, you can understand even more fully if you analyze all the given synonyms and sort them into groups.
Example:
On the eve (on the threshold) of the new year, everyone is building far-reaching plans, dreaming of new achievements.
Phraseological units and stable combinations
Analysis of the meaning and variants of synonyms make it possible to understand what a threshold is. And what are the stable expressions and phraseological units with this word that increase the figurativeness of speech?
- "To beat the rapids". Has a disapproving connotation, meaning to go somewhere constantly in order to solve certain problems, complete tasks or make requests.
- "Here is God, and here is the threshold." It also has a disapproving meaning in colloquial speech. Expresses a proposal to get out, leave, leave the speaker alone.
Threshold can be: low/high, acceptable/reduced/age/, church/door/metal/stone/painful/seething, etc.
Actions associated with the "threshold": rush, stand up / present, appear, rush, stumble,etc.
According to the areas of application, the word is most often used in engineering and medicine, followed by the areas of construction, aviation and general (household) vocabulary. What is the threshold in each of the directions will be prompted by the context, as well as associations with the main meaning options. In difficult cases, you should refer to the explanatory dictionary of concepts and terms.
