peril

 
Pronunciation: /ˈpɛrɪl, -r(ə)l/

noun

[mass noun]
  • serious and immediate danger: you could well place us both in peril the movement is in peril of dying [count noun]: a setback to the state could present a peril to the regime
  • (perils) the risks or difficulties that arise from a particular situation or activity: she first witnessed the perils of pop stardom a decade ago

verb (perils, perilling, perilled; US perils, periling, periled)

[with object] archaic
  • expose to danger; threaten: Jonathon perilled his life for love of David

Phrases

at one's peril

at one’s own risk (used in warnings): neglect our advice at your peril

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French, from Latin peric(u)lum 'danger', from the base of experiri 'to try'