risk-taking
UK[ˈrɪsk ˌteɪkɪŋ]US[ˈrɪsk ˌteɪkɪŋ]
n
The act of doing things that involve the possibility of danger, loss, or failure in order to achieve a goal.
Morpheme Breakdown
risk
taking
risk
danger
taking
act of
Etymology
The word is a modern English compound noun, formed by combining the noun 'risk' with the gerund 'taking'. 'Risk' entered English in the 17th century from French risque, which itself came from Italian rischio, likely of Arabic origin (rizq, meaning 'fortune' or 'providence'), reflecting the unpredictable nature of fortune. 'Take' is a fundamental Germanic verb from Old English tacan, meaning to lay hold of. The compound 'risk-taking' literally means "the act of seizing or engaging with danger," a concept that evolved from the literal grasping of a hazardous opportunity to the modern abstract sense of engaging in any venture with uncertain outcomes for potential gain.
Analysis
Structure: risk (danger) + taking (act of)
- risk: From Italian risco (danger), via French risque. In this compound, it functions as a noun modifier meaning "involving danger or loss."
- taking: From Old English tacan (to grasp, seize). The suffix -ing forms a gerund/noun from the verb 'take', indicating the action or process.
Examples
Entrepreneurial success often requires a certain amount of calculated risk-taking.
The company's culture encourages innovation and intelligent risk-taking.
His reckless risk-taking during the investment frenzy led to significant financial losses.