risk-taker
UK[ˈrɪsk ˌteɪ.kər]US[ˈrɪsk ˌteɪ.kɚ]
n
a person who is willing to do things that involve danger or risk in order to achieve a goal
Morpheme Breakdown
risk
taker
risk
danger
taker
one who takes
Etymology
The compound "risk-taker" is a modern English formation that transparently combines two established elements. The noun "risk" entered English in the mid-17th century from French 'risque', which itself came from Italian 'rischio', a term used in maritime trade for the peril of sailing into unknown waters, possibly linked to the concept of a hazardous cliff or rock. The agent noun "taker" derives from the ancient and common Germanic verb "to take," meaning to grasp or seize. When combined, the literal meaning is "one who seizes or accepts danger," a logical and descriptive term for someone who voluntarily engages in uncertain or hazardous ventures for potential gain, perfectly capturing the essence of entrepreneurial or adventurous behavior.
Analysis
Structure: risk (danger) + taker (one who takes)
risk: From Italian 'risco' or 'rischio' (danger), likely from a Vulgar Latin root meaning "that which cuts" or "cliff." Functions as the object noun in the compound.
taker: From Old English 'tacan' (to take), from Old Norse 'taka'. The suffix '-er' (from Old English '-ere', agent noun suffix) indicates "a person or thing that performs the action." Functions as the agent noun in the compound.
Examples
Successful entrepreneurs are often calculated risk-takers.
The investment strategy is only suitable for a confident risk-taker.
She was a natural risk-taker, always eager to try extreme sports.