Here's a breakdown:
* Old Italian: "rischio" - This word first appeared in the 14th century and meant "rock," "reef," or "hazard at sea." This makes sense considering the dangers posed by rocky shoals and reefs to ships.
* Middle Italian: "risicare" - This verb evolved to mean "to risk," suggesting the action of navigating or encountering these maritime hazards.
* Latin: "riscus" - This word is believed to be the ultimate origin, meaning "rock," "reef," or "cliff."
Therefore, the word "risk" originally referred to a concrete, physical danger encountered by seafarers. Over time, its meaning broadened to encompass any kind of potential danger or uncertainty, both physical and abstract. This evolution reflects how our understanding of "risk" has expanded from tangible threats to encompass the more intangible and complex risks we face today.