First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
jeopardy
noun jeop·ar·dy \ˈje-pər-dē\
Definition of JEOPARDY
1
: exposure to or imminence of death, loss, or injury : danger
2
: the danger that an accused person is subjected to when on trial for a criminal offense
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Origin of JEOPARDY
Middle English jeopardie, from Anglo-French juparti, jeuparti alternative, literally, divided game
Related to JEOPARDY
- Synonyms
- distress, endangerment, harm's way, imperilment, danger, peril, risk, trouble
- Antonyms
- safeness, safety, secureness, security
JEOPARDY Defined for Kids
jeopardy
noun jeop·ar·dy \ˈje-pər-dē\
Definition of JEOPARDY for Kids
: danger 1 <The wrong choice could put your future in jeopardy.>
Word History of JEOPARDY
In French jeu parti means literally “divided game.” This phrase was used in medieval France for situations involving alternative possibilities, such as a chess game where a player could not be sure which of two plays would be better. In this sense jeu parti was borrowed into English as jeopardie. It came to be applied to any situation involving equal chances for success or failure. Gradually, the element of risk or danger in such a choice became the word's meaning.
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