brink etymology

Etymology

The word "brink" comes from the Old English word "brincan," meaning "to the edge or bank." It is related to the Old Norse word "bringr," meaning "edge" or "precipice."

Meaning and Origin

The brink of something is the edge or boundary of that thing, often a dangerous or precarious place. When someone is "on the brink" of something, they are close to a critical point or threshold.

The term "brink" is often used figuratively to refer to a situation that is on the verge of a dramatic change, such as a brink of war or the brink of financial ruin. It can also be used in a more general sense to refer to the point at which something is about to happen, such as the brink of morning or the brink of a new era.

In addition to its literal and figurative meanings, "brink" can also be used to describe a person's emotional state. When someone is on the brink of tears, for example, they are close to crying.

brink relate terms

  • brinkmanship

    Etymology Brink edge of a precipice manship skill or behavior Meaning Bri

  • brink

    Etymology The word brink comes from the Old English word brincan meaning to the edg

  • front

    Etymology The word front comes from the Old French word front which is derived from

  • brink

    Etymology The word brink comes from the Old English word brincan meaning to the edg

  • threshold

    Etymology Old English therscwald doorsill threshold From Proto Germanic threskō

  • verge

    Etymology The word verge has several etymologies Latin virga a rod twig vir

  • verge

    Etymology The word verge has several etymologies Latin virga a rod twig vir

  • brim

    Etymology The word brim comes from the Middle English word brymme which in turn deri

  • margin

    Etymology Middle English in the sense of edge border from Old French marge merch

  • rand

    Etymology Late Middle English as an adjective from Anglo Norman French rand from Ol

  • border

    Etymology The word border has its roots in the Old English word bord which means e

  • edge

    Etymology Old English ecg meaning border boundary brink Middle English egge

  • bound

    Etymology Old English bindan Proto Germanic bindaną Meaning To tie fasten

  • limit

    Etymology The word limit comes from the Latin word limes which originally meant bou