ramification
Americannoun
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the act or process of ramifying.
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a branch.
ramifications of a nerve.
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a related or derived subject, problem, etc.; outgrowth; consequence; implication.
The new tax law proved to have many ramifications unforeseen by the lawmakers.
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Botany.
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a structure formed of branches.
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a configuration of branching parts.
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noun
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the act or process of ramifying or branching out
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an offshoot or subdivision
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(often plural) a subsidiary consequence, esp one that complicates
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a structure of branching parts
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of ramification
1670–80; < Middle French < Medieval Latin rāmificāt ( us ) (past participle of rāmificāre to ramify ) + Middle French -ion -ion
Explanation
A ramification is an accidental consequence that complicates things. Remember that time you borrowed your father's car without asking? The ramification was that Dad missed an important meeting, his company went under, and he had to sell the car. Oops! The ramifications are the broader effects that fan out into the world from one situation, or decision, that kicks it all off. Ramification also refers to something branching out, like limbs on a tree — which is what bad decisions tend to do. Ramification is like consequence, but usually unintended and bad. The word is often used in political discussions about laws or government decisions because they might be made locally but could affect people worldwide.
Vocabulary lists containing ramification
Fast Food Nation
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Born a Crime
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Unit 1: Telling Details
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Gains for large-cap funds could bring more payouts with tax ramifications.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 8, 2018
I have a number of questions about this, including the tax ramifications, whether we should put the money from the home sale into the trust or into another account for rainy-day expenses.
From Slate • Sep. 23, 2016
They were talking about his will and who got what and the tax ramifications.
From New York Times • Aug. 26, 2015
A more interesting thought experiment about the importance of the tax ramifications of a Supreme Court decision is to consider what would happen if the Supreme Court decided that the 6th Circuit was correct.
From Slate • Jan. 22, 2015
And examine the tax ramifications, lack of stable income and costs involved in running your own show.
From Time Magazine Archive
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
