Reading Theme:
Cascade Definition: Chain Reaction & Waterfall Meanings (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：chain reaction (cascade)
cascade
/kæˈskeɪd/
n.
A large number of things happening one after another, like water falling down steps.
chain reaction
➕
/tʃeɪn riˈækʃən/
n.
A sequence of events where each event triggers the next, often resulting in a significant cumulative effect.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'cascada' (waterfall), from 'cadere' (to fall).
💡 Mnemonic
Think 'cas' as in 'case' (a situation) and 'cade' as in 'parade' (a sequence). A cascade is a sequence of situations falling one after another.
📖 Example
After the company's main server crashed, it triggered a cascade of problems across the entire network, causing delays in many departments.
This illustrates how a single failure can lead to a series of interconnected problems.
🔗 Collocations
a cascade of – a rapid series of successive events or things
trigger a cascade – to initiate a sequence of connected events
cascade failure – a failure in a system that causes further failures in connected subsystems
🔄 Synonyms
chain (n.) – A connected series of events or actions.
sequence (n.) – A particular order in which related events follow each other.
succession (n.) – A number of people or things following one after the other.
🚫 Antonyms
isolated event (n.) – A single occurrence with no connected consequences.
📖 Cultural Story
The word 'cascade' entered English from French, tracing back to the Latin 'cadere' (to fall). It vividly captures the image of water tumbling down steps, a concept later applied to sequences of events.
Meaning 2：small waterfall (cascade)
cascade
/kæˈskeɪd/
n.
A small waterfall, especially one that falls in steps down over rocks.
small waterfall
➕
/smɔːl ˈwɔːtəfɔːl/
n.
A small waterfall, typically one that flows over a series of rocky steps rather than a single, large drop.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
We found a beautiful crystal-clear cascade hidden in the forest, its water gently flowing over smooth, mossy stones.
This describes discovering a picturesque, multi-tiered waterfall in a natural setting.
🔗 Collocations
a mountain cascade – a small waterfall found on a mountainside
cascade down – to flow down in a series of steps like a waterfall
rocky cascade – a waterfall flowing over a series of rocks
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
stagnant pool (n.) – A body of still, non-flowing water.
Wordbook
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