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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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.