risk

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a venture undertaken without regard to possible loss or injury

   I saw the rewards but not the risks of crime.

2. 2
   verb

   expose to a chance of loss or damage

   We risked losing a lot of money in this venture

3. 3
   noun

   The probability of a negative outcome to a decision or event.

   There is risk of being brutalized, arrested, imprisoned and tortured, all because I want you to know the truth about this matter.

4. 4
   noun

   The magnitude of possible loss consequent to a decision or event.

   Will they find the prospect of greater risk a cause for concern, rather than a gift from the right?

5. 5
   noun

   The potential negative effect of an event, determined by multiplying the likelihood of the event occurring with its magnitude should it occur.

   If there is a 25% chance of running over schedule, costing you a $100 out of your own pocket, that might be a risk you are willing to take. But if you have a 5% chance of running overschedule, knowing that there is a $10,000 penalty, you might be less willing to take that risk.

6. 6
   noun

   A possible adverse event or outcome.

   the imminent and constant risk of assassination, a risk which has shaken very strong nerves

7. 7
   noun

   A thing (from the perspective of how likely or unlikely it is to cause an adverse effect).

   That man is going to be a big risk once he's out of prison.

8. 8
   verb

   To incur risk of (an unwanted or negative outcome).

   These people are putting themselves in danger by physically being on or near to the railway lines and risking serious injury.

Etymology

From earlier risque, from Middle French risque, from Old Italian risco (“risk”) (modern Italian rischio) and rischiare (“to run into danger”). Displaced native Old English pleoh (“risk”) and plēon (“to risk”). speculation on earlier roots Most dictionaries consider the etymology of these Italian terms uncertain, but some suggest they perhaps come from Vulgar Latin *resecum (“that which cuts, rock, crag”) (> Medieval Latin resicu), from Latin resecō (“cut off, loose, curtail”, verb), in the sense of that which is a danger to boating or shipping; or from Ancient Greek ῥιζικόν (rhizikón, “root, r…