literal meaning of brink

[kjc0123]

What is the meaning of brink literally?

[bernardo]

1.a. The upper edge of a steep or vertical slope: the brink of a cliff.
b. The margin of land bordering a body of water.
2. The point at which something is likely to begin; the verge: �Time and again the monarchs and statesmen of Europe approached the brink of conflict� (W. Bruce Lincoln).

 \Brink\, n. [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.

n 1: a region marking a boundary [syn: threshold, verge] 2: the edge of a steep place 3: the limit beyond which something happens or changes; "on the verge of tears"; "on the brink of bankruptcy"