cascade
- a waterfall descending over a steep, rocky surface.
- a series of shallow or steplike waterfalls, either natural or artificial.
- anything that resembles a waterfall, especially in seeming to flow or fall in abundance: a cascade of roses covering the wall.
- (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.
- an arrangement of a lightweight fabric in folds falling one over another in random or zigzag fashion.
- a type of firework resembling a waterfall in effect.
- 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.
- Electricity. an arrangement of component devices, as electrolytic cells, each of which feeds into the next in succession.
- 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.
- to fall in or like a cascade.
- to cause to fall in a cascade.
- Electricity. to arrange (components) in a cascade.
Origin of cascade
Related Words for cascade
outpouring, avalanche, waterfall, torrent, deluge, tumble, spew, spill, pour, descend, overflow, gush, chute, force, rapids, spout, shower, flood, fountain, watercourseExamples from the Web for cascade
Contemporary Examples of cascade
I remember practicing that lick [from the solo “Round Midnight” recording] years ago, learning how to do that cascade effect.
With her cascade of red, twirling hair and pale, fine-boned face.
Murdoch on the Rocks: How a Lone Reporter Revealed the Mogul's Tabloid Terror MachineClive Irving
August 25, 2014
The cascade of same-sex marriage rulings is now a torrent, each more quotable and image-ready than the last.
Expect aurora borealis in the long foray but no cascade of light.
Undoubtedly, we can look forward to just such a cascade regarding part time employees.
Historical Examples of cascade
Cassy, the cascade of flowers and stars about her, looked at the harper.
The Paliser caseEdgar Saltus
She was humming a strange tune over the cascade like another Minnehaha.
In a Little TownRupert Hughes
The cascade at the bottom of the slope appeared a mere span in height from where they were now.
A Pair of Blue EyesThomas Hardy
Here is found the cascade of Idurewadde; and higher up, the cataract of Itabru.
The Western WorldW.H.G. Kingston
The fifth, as brilliant as a cascade on which the sun is shining, is "Joy."
The PianolistGustav Kobb
cascade
- a waterfall or series of waterfalls over rocks
- something resembling this, such as folds of lace
- a consecutive sequence of chemical or physical processes
- (as modifier)cascade liquefaction
- a series of stages in the processing chain of an electrical signal where each operates the next in turn
- (as modifier)a cascade amplifier
- the cumulative process responsible for the formation of an electrical discharge, cosmic-ray shower, or Geiger counter avalanche in a gas
- the sequence of spontaneous decays by an excited atom or ion
- (intr) to flow or fall in or like a cascade
Word Origin for cascade
Word Origin and History for cascade
1640s, from French cascade (17c.), from Italian cascata "waterfall," from cascare "to fall," from Vulgar Latin *casicare, frequentative of Latin casum, casus, past participle of cadere "to fall" (see case (n.1)).
1702, from cascade (n.). In early 19c. slang, "to vomit." Related: Cascaded; cascading.
cascade
(kă-skād′)- A succession of actions, processes, or operations, as of a physiological process.
cascade
- 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.