brink

brink · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The extreme edge of land before a steep slope or a body of water.

  2. 2.

    A point at which something is about to happen.

  3. 3.

    The verge or threshold of a dangerous situation.

Forms

plural: brinks

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    on the brink of — very close to; about to experience
  • •
    brinkmanship — the art of pursuing a dangerous policy to the limit
  • •
    push to the brink — to bring to an extreme situation

Related words

Antonyms: center, middle
See also: edge, threshold, verge
Synonyms: edge, margin, threshold, verge

Etymology

From Middle English "brink" meaning edge or shore, from Middle Low German or Middle Dutch "brink" (edge, slope, grassland), possibly related to Old Norse "brekka" (slope).