to jeopardize

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

To expose to loss or injury.--Webster. This verb is often seen in the debates of Congress, as they are reported in the newspapers. It is, doubtless, a corruption of the ancient verb to jeopard, as deputize is of depute.--Pickering. This word is much used in the United States, and less frequently in England.


The profound respect for the cause of truth which led Mr. Tooke not to jeopardize its interests by any hasty assumption of its name and pretensions for a discovery yet incomplete, constitutes one of his surest holds upon posterity.--London Athenæum, March 18, 1848.

Related Words