cascade

[ kas-keyd ]

noun

1. a waterfall descending over a steep, rocky surface.
2. a series of shallow or steplike waterfalls, either natural or artificial.
3. anything that resembles a waterfall, especially in seeming to flow or fall in abundance:

   a cascade of roses covering the wall.

4. (in a drain or sewer) a chain of steps for dissipating the momentum of falling water in a steep place in order to maintain a steady rate of flow.
5. an arrangement of a lightweight fabric in folds falling one over another in random or zigzag fashion.
6. a type of firework resembling a waterfall in effect.
7. Chemistry. a series of vessels, from each of which a fluid successively overflows to the next, thus presenting a large absorbing surface, as to a gas.
8. Electricity. an arrangement of component devices, as electrolytic cells, each of which feeds into the next in succession.
9. Biochemistry. a series of reactions catalyzed by enzymes that are activated sequentially by successive products of the reactions, resulting in an amplification of the initial response.

verb (used without object)

, cas·cad·ed, cas·cad·ing.

1. to fall in or like a cascade.

verb (used with object)

, cas·cad·ed, cas·cad·ing.

1. to cause to fall in a cascade.
2. Electricity. to arrange (components) in a cascade.

cascade

/ kæsˈkeɪd /

noun

1. a waterfall or series of waterfalls over rocks
2. something resembling this, such as folds of lace
3. 1. a consecutive sequence of chemical or physical processes
   2. ( as modifier )

      cascade liquefaction

4. 1. a series of stages in the processing chain of an electrical signal where each operates the next in turn
   2. ( as modifier )

      a cascade amplifier

5. the cumulative process responsible for the formation of an electrical discharge, cosmic-ray shower, or Geiger counter avalanche in a gas
6. the sequence of spontaneous decays by an excited atom or ion

verb

1. intr to flow or fall in or like a cascade

cascade

/ kăs-kād′ /

1. A series of chemical or physiological processes that occur in successive stages, each of which is dependent on the preceding one, to produce a culminating effect. The steps involved in the clotting of blood occur as a cascade.

Other Words From

• cas·cader noun
• uncas·caded adjective
• uncas·cading adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cascade¹

First recorded in 1635–45; from French, from Italian cascata, from casc(are) “to fall” (from Vulgar Latin cāsicāre (unrecorded), from cās(us) “fallen,” past participle of cadere “to fall”; cadenza, case ¹ ) + -ata -ade ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of cascade¹

C17: from French, from Italian cascata, from cascare to fall, ultimately from Latin cadere to fall

Example Sentences

"This could have cascading effects on bumble bee populations."

From Science Daily

I ask my partner as he rounds a corner with sheep grazing on one side and a cascading waterfall on the other.

From Salon

Already set in motion are cascading toxic effects on social discourse and political dynamics, marked by widening acceptance and promotion of overt bigotries and brandished hatreds.

From Salon

Upstream, a glacial lake had formed, then suddenly burst - sending water, boulders and debris cascading down the valley and gathering speed.

From BBC

Volcanoes set off a cascade of chemical changes in the environment that make their way to the subterranean rock.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• descend
• gush
• overflow
• pour
• spew
• spill
• tumble