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)

  1. The edge, margin, or border of a steep place, as of a precipice; a bank or edge.
    the brink of a river
  2. (figuratively) The edge or border
    the brink of success
    He's on the brink of madness.

Derived terms

Translations

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)

  1. village green, functioning as a central square
  2. edge or margin of a field
  3. edge or margin of a hill
  4. grassy edge or margin of a strip of land
  5. grassland

Derived terms

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