brink

Brink, n.

Etymology: [Dan. brink edge, verge; akin to Sw. brink declivity, hill, Icel. brekka; cf. LG. brink a grassy hill, W. bryn hill, bryncyn hillock.]

The edge, margin, or border of a steep place, as of a precipice; a bank or edge, as of a river or pit; a verge; a border; as, the brink of a chasm. Also Fig. "The brink of vice." Bp. Porteus. "The brink of ruin." Burke. The plashy brink of weedy lake. Bryant.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for brink; he lists it under bank.

Where he writes about it:

Brink is the place from which one may fall; as, the river's brink; the brink of a precipice; the brink of ruin. — from bank

Synonyms

bank beach border bound brim coast edge marge margin rim shore strand

Antonyms

none given

etymology Webster’s online