[risk] n [F risque, fr. It risco] (ca. 1661) 1: possibility of loss or injury: peril
2: someone or something that creates or suggests a hazard 3 a: the chance of loss or the perils to the subject matter of an insurance contract; also: the degree of probability of such loss b: a person or thing that is a specified hazard to an insurer "a poor ~ for insurance" c: an insurance hazard from a specified cause or source "war ~" -- risk.less adj -- at risk : exposed to a usu. specified danger or loss "patients at risk of infection"
[2]risk vt (ca. 1687) 1: to expose to hazard or danger "~ed her life"
2: to incur the risk or danger of "~ed breaking his neck" -- risk.er n