Lewis & Short

mĭnax, ācis, adj. [1. minor], lit., jutting out, projecting.

  1. I. Lit. (poet.): minaci Pendentem scopulo, overhanging, projecting, Verg. A. 8, 668: robur saxi, overlying, incumbent, Lucr. 1, 881.
  2. II. Trop., threatening, menacing, full of threats or menaces (class.).
    1. A. Of living things: Indutiomarus iste minax atque arrogans, Cic. Font. 12, 36; Quint. 11, 3, 72: vituli nondum metuenda fronte minaces, Ov. Am. 3, 13, 15.
      Sup.: adversus barbaros minacissimus, Suet. Calig. 51.
    2. B. Of inanimate things: aequor saevum minaxque, Ov. H. 19, 85: fluvii, Verg. G. 3, 77: pestilentia minacior, Liv. 4, 52 litterae, Cic. Fam. 16, 11, 2: vox, Hor. C. 1, 10, 10: unda, id. ib. 1, 12, 31: genus dicendi, Quint. 11, 1, 3: vultus, significant, Calp. 4, 1: fortuna, Juv. 10, 52.
      Hence, adv.: mĭnācĭter, threateningly, menacingly, with threats or menaces (class.): adversarios minaciter terrere, Cic. de Or. 1, 20, 90: dictum, Quint. 1, 5, 9.
      Comp.: minacius dicere quam facere, Cic. Phil. 5, 8, 21.