narrowly averting death; near-death experience
Almost always used in the set phrase 九死に一生を得る (to have a narrow escape from death) or similar expressions. Rarely used alone.
He narrowly escaped death in that accident.
narrow escape from death; barely surviving a life-threatening situation
From 九 (nine) and 死 (death), literally 'nine deaths', implying a situation where death is almost certain but barely avoided.