jeopardize

the word 'jeopardize' is a relatively modern english formation from the early 19th century. it is built upon the much older noun 'jeopardy', which entered english in the 14th century from the old french 'jeu parti', signifying "a divided game" or "an even chance," particularly in the context of chess or other games of strategy. this french term metaphorically evolved to represent a perilous situation where the outcome is uncertain. the addition of the productive verb-forming suffix '-ize' to the truncated stem 'jeopard-' directly transforms the abstract concept of hazard into an active verb meaning "to expose to danger or risk." thus, the etymological logic moves from a game of balanced chance, to a state of peril, and finally to the act of causing that peril.

Structure: jeopard (hazard) + ize (verb-forming suffix) jeopard: from middle english 'jupartie' (later 'jeopardy'), meaning a hazardous situation or a game of chance. origin: old french 'jeu parti', literally "a divided game, an even chance". ize: a verb-forming suffix of greek origin (via latin -izare and french -iser), meaning "to make, to become, to subject to an action".