jeopard
Very Low / ArchaicFormal, Legal, Archaic, Literary
Definition
Meaning
To put in danger or at risk; to expose to loss, harm, or peril.
The act of endangering or jeopardizing, often used in legal, formal, or rhetorical contexts to describe the action of making something vulnerable. It implies a significant and often imminent threat.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Jeopard" is the archaic verb form from which the modern noun "jeopardy" and verb "jeopardize/jeopardise" are derived. Its use today is extremely rare and deliberate, often for stylistic effect in legal writing or historical/literary contexts. It directly means "to put in jeopardy".
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is equally archaic in both dialects. The modern derivative "jeopardise" is standard British spelling, while "jeopardize" is standard American spelling. The root 'jeopard' itself sees no significant spelling variation.
Connotations
In both dialects, it carries a formal, dated, and somewhat dramatic connotation. Its use might be perceived as pedantic or intentionally archaic.
Frequency
Effectively obsolete in everyday speech and most writing in both the UK and US. Found almost exclusively in historical texts, legal archaisms, or as a deliberate stylistic choice.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + jeopard + [Direct Object] (e.g., The decision could jeopard the treaty.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to the archaic 'jeopard'. The modern term gives us 'in jeopardy'.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used. Modern 'jeopardize' is standard.
Academic
Rare, might appear in historical or legal philosophy texts discussing older language.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Obsolete in technical writing. The concept is expressed with 'endanger' or 'compromise'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The barrister argued that the new evidence could jeopard the entire case.
- Such reckless actions would jeopard the fragile peace.
American English
- The prosecutor warned the action would jeopard the defendant's right to a fair trial.
- To disclose the source would jeopard the agent's life.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial form.
American English
- No standard adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- No standard adjectival form of 'jeopard'. 'Jeopardous' is historically attested but obsolete.
American English
- No standard adjectival form of 'jeopard'. 'Jeopardous' is historically attested but obsolete.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This word is not used at A2 level.
- This word is very rare and not typical for B1 learners.
- The historian used the archaic verb 'jeopard' to describe the king's risky decision.
- The 17th-century legal statute stated that no man should 'jeopard his neighbour's goods or person'.
- The author's choice to use 'jeopard' rather than 'endanger' lent the narrative a period-appropriate gravity.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: "JEOPARD-y" is the state; to "JEOPARD" is to create that state of danger. It's the original, shorter action word.
Conceptual Metaphor
DANGER IS A PRECIPICE / PLACE OF PERIL (from Old French 'ieu parti' meaning 'divided game', hence a risky or uncertain situation).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with "джепард" (a leopard).
- The modern equivalent is "ставить под угрозу" or "рисковать". Using 'jeopard' directly would sound unnatural.
- It is not a synonym for 'hinder' or 'delay'; it specifically involves creating danger.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'jeopard' in modern contexts instead of 'jeopardize/jeopardise'.
- Confusing it with the noun 'jeopardy'.
- Misspelling as 'jepoard'.
Practice
Quiz
The word 'jeopard' is best described as:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is an archaic verb, largely obsolete since the 17th-18th century. It is the root of the modern noun 'jeopardy' and verb 'jeopardize/jeopardise'.
Almost certainly not. In 99.9% of cases, you should use the modern verb 'jeopardize' (US) or 'jeopardise' (UK). Using 'jeopard' will sound odd and outdated to most listeners or readers.
'Jeopard' is the original, now archaic, verb. 'Jeopardize' (and 'jeopardise') is the modern, standard verb derived from it, following the pattern of verbs ending in '-ize'/'ise'. They mean the same thing.
No. The noun form is 'jeopardy'. 'Jeopard' is only a verb.
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