I.to drive away by terrifying, to frighten away, to deter (by fear): “patrem,” Plaut. Most. 2, 1, 74; so Ter. Andr. 3, 1, 14: “neminem a congressu meo neque janitor meus neque somnus absterruit,” Cic. Planc. 27: “homines a pecuniis capiendis,” Cic. Verr. 2, 2, 58; so Hor. S. 2, 5, 83; Liv. 5, 41; Suet. Caes. 20 al.—With de: “ut de frumento anseres absterreret,” Plaut. Truc. 2, 1, 41.—With simple abl.: lenonem aedibus, Titin. ap. Non. 95, 1: “teneros animos vitiis,” Hor. S. 1, 4, 128; so Tac. A. 12, 45 al.—
II. Transf. with an abstract object, to take away, remove, withdraw: “pabula amoris sibi,” Lucr. 4, 1064: “satum genitalem cuiquam,” id. 4, 1233: “auctum,” id. 5, 846.