English▸ noun danger of loss, harm, or failure:
Michael's job was not in jeopardy.
▪ Law danger arising from being on trial for a criminal offense.
– ORIGIN Middle English iuparti, from Old French ieu parti ‘(evenly) divided game’. The term was originally used in chess and other games to denote a problem, or a position in which the chances of winning or losing were evenly balanced, hence ‘a dangerous situation’.