n. & v.
n. 1 a chance or possibility of danger, loss, injury, or other adverse consequences (a health risk; a risk of fire). 2 a person or thing causing a risk or regarded in relation to risk (is a poor risk).
v.tr. 1 expose to risk. 2 accept the chance of (could not risk getting wet). 3 venture on. at risk exposed to danger. at one's (own) risk accepting responsibility, agreeing to make no claims. at the risk of with the possibility of (an adverse consequence). put at risk expose to danger. risk capital money put up for speculative business investment. risk one's neck put one's own life in danger. run a (or the) risk (often foll. by of) expose oneself to danger or loss etc. take (or run) a risk chance the possibility of danger etc.
[ F risque, risquer f. It. risco danger, riscare run into danger ]