brink
English
Etymology
From Middle English brinke, from Proto-Germanic *brinkaz (compare Dutch brink (“grassland”), dialectal German Brunkel, Icelandic brekka (“slope”)), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰren- (“project”) (compare Tocharian B prenke (“island”), Irish braine (“prow”)).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /bɹɪŋk/
- Rhymes: -ɪŋk
Noun
brink (plural brinks)
- The edge, margin, or border of a steep place, as of a precipice; a bank or edge.
- the brink of a river
- (figuratively) The edge or border
- the brink of success
- He's on the brink of madness.
Derived terms
- brinkmanship
- on the brink
Translations
edge
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Further reading
- brink in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
- brink in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
Dutch
Etymology
From Middle Dutch brinc, from Old Dutch brink, from Proto-Germanic *brinkaz.
Cognate with English brink.
Pronunciation
Audio (file)
Noun
brink m (plural brinken, diminutive brinkje n)
- village green, functioning as a central square
- edge or margin of a field
- edge or margin of a hill
- grassy edge or margin of a strip of land
- grassland
Derived terms
- brinkdorp
Middle English
Noun
brink
- Alternative form of brinke