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breakneck

[breyk-nek]

Origin

adjective

reckless or dangerous, especially because of excessive speed; hazardous: He raced through the streets at breakneck speed.

Origin:
1555–65; break + neck

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Breakneck is always a great word to know.

So is quincunx. Does it mean:

an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle.

the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.

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Collins

World English Dictionary

breakneck (ˈbreɪkˌnɛk)

—*adj*
	(prenominal) (of speed, pace, etc) excessive and dangerous

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

breakneck

1560s, "likely to end in a broken neck," from break + neck.

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hell-for-leather

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breakneck

break·neck