brink

Definition

The edge, margin, or border of a steep place, as of a precipice; a bank or edge.

Etymology

From Middle English brinke, brenke, from Old Norse *brenka, brekka, from Proto-Germanic *brinkǭ, *brinkaz (“hill, edge (of land)”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰren- (“to project”). Cognate with Dutch brink (“grassland”), regional German Brink, Icelandic brekka (“slope”); also Tocharian B prenke (“island”), Irish braine (“prow”).

Example Sentences

• "the brink of a river"
• "the brink of success"
• "As South Korea heads to the polls, can Lee Jae-myung bring the country back from the brink? [title]"