Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

Cascades

 - 8 dictionary results

cas⋅cade

  [kas-keyd] noun, verb, -cad⋅ed, -cad⋅ing.
Use Cascades in a Sentence
–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, esp. 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)
10. to fall in or like a cascade.
–verb (used with object)
11. to cause to fall in a cascade.
12. Electricity. to arrange (components) in a cascade.
Origin:
1635–45; < F < It cascata, equiv. to casc(are) to fall (< VL *cāsicāre, equiv. to cās(us) fallen (ptp. of cadere) + -icā- formative v. suffix + -re inf. ending) + -ata -ade 1

Related forms:
cas⋅cad⋅er, noun

Cascade Range

 
–noun
a mountain range extending from N California to W Canada: highest peak, Mt. Rainier, 14,408 ft. (4322 m).
Also called the Cascades.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Cascades
cas·cade   (kā-skād')   
n.  

  1. A waterfall or a series of small waterfalls over steep rocks.

  2. Something, such as lace, thought to resemble a waterfall or series of small waterfalls, especially an arrangement or fall of material.

  3. A succession of stages, processes, operations, or units.

  4. Electronics A series of components or networks, the output of each of which serves as the input for the next.

  5. A chemical or physiological process that occurs in successive stages, each of which is dependent on the preceding one, and often producing a cumulative effect: an enzymatic cascade.

intr. & tr.v.   cas·cad·ed, cas·cad·ing, cas·cades
To fall or cause to fall in or as if in a cascade.

[French, from Italian cascata, from cascare, to fall, from Vulgar Latin *casicāre, from Latin cadere; see kad- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Cultural Dictionary

Cascades

Mountain chain extending from British Columbia, Canada, south through Washington and Oregon to northern California. It is known for its many volcanoes.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

cascade 
1641, from Fr., from It. cascata "waterfall," from cascare "to fall," from V.L. *casicare, from L. casum, pp. of cadere "to fall" (see case (1)). The verb is attested from 1702.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: cas·cade
Pronunciation: (")kas-'kAd
Function: noun
: a molecular, biochemical, or physiological process occurring in a succession ofstages each of which is closely related to or depends on the output of the previous stage cascade of enzymatic reactions> cascade of events comprising the immuneresponse>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

cascade cas·cade (kā-skād')
n.
A succession of actions, processes, or operations, as of a physiological process.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Science Dictionary
cascade   (kās-kād')  Pronunciation Key 
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see Cascades on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way