risk

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The chance that something bad might happen.

   There is a real risk of injury if you don't wear a helmet.

2. 2
   verb

   To do something that could lead to a bad result.

   We risked losing a lot of money on the deal.

3. 3
   noun

   A person or thing that could cause harm or loss.

   Smoking is a serious risk to your health.

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…

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