1. the time by which something must be finished, submitted, etc. 2. (formerly) a boundary around a military prison beyond which a prisoner could not venture without risk of being shot by the guards.
While it's important to talk with your doctor about the cause of your slurred speech, slurred speech caused by anxiety is not dangerous. It's not a sign that you have something else coming, or that your brain will somehow be inefficient for handling life tasks in the future.
Neurological Disorde: I understand your concern for your wife! unsteady balance and slurred speech generally are not due to early onset dementia . Alcohol use can cause unsteady balance and slurred speech . Please see a neurologist for the diagnosis and treatment of your wife's condition.