Hazarding

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Engaging in an endeavor where outcomes are uncertain and involve risk can be described as taking a chance
2. The act of exposing oneself to possible danger or loss through bold decision-making is referred to as making a wager
3. Taking a risk through a bold choice or action that may lead to uncertain results can be defined as assuming a potential loss or danger

Etymology: The most surprising part of this word's story is that its root is a game of chance, not a danger. The Arabic "az-zahr" meant "the dice," and it passed into Old French as "hasart," a name for a dice game. Playing that game meant risking your stake on a throw, and the verb "hasarder" grew from that idea of staking something on an uncertain outcome. Middle English took the noun as "hasard" before the sense of peril took over. Over time the notion of gambling widened into the general sense of exposing yourself to possible loss or harm. "Hazarding" in its present form therefore describes the act of putting something valuable on the line, much as a gambler does with a wager. The same Arabic source also gave Spanish "azar" and Portuguese "azar," which still mean chance or bad luck.

Synonyms: risking, venturing, daring, gambling, jeopardizing

Antonyms: avoiding, protecting, safeguarding, ensuring, securing