Thresh'old, n.

n. [O. Eng. threswold, Scot. threswald, A-S. threscævald, therscwald, theorscwald, therscold, thärscold, threcsvvald, probably from threscan, therscan, to thresh, thrash, and wald, weald, wood, forest; Icel. threskiöldr, thröskuldr, Sw. tröskel, Dan. tärskel.]

1Sense 1. The door-sill; the plank, stone, or piece of timber which lies at the bottom or under a door, especially of a dwelling-house, church, temple, or the like; hence, entrance; gate; door.

2Sense 2. The place or point of entering or beginning; entrance; outset; as, he is now at the threshold of his argument. “Many men that stumble at the threshold.” Shak.