hazard

noun

Origin

Old French; deeper origin uncertain

hasard — a game of chance played with dice

Overview

Meaning Now

A danger or risk that can cause harm or loss.

Literal older meaning

a game of chance played with dice

Language path

Old French → Middle English → Modern English

Earliest form

hasard

Earliest period

Old French

Journey

Hazard entered English through Old French hasard, the name of a game of chance. A frequently repeated Arabic derivation is possible but disputed, so the safest history begins with the securely attested French form and preserves the deeper uncertainty.

Evolution

Old French
hasard
“a game of chance played with dice”
Early English
hazard
“a game of chance or risk”
Modern English
hazard
“a possible source of danger”

Connections

Related words

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robotrelated
paradiserelated

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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.