Definition of Cascades

cas·cade / kasˈkād/ • n.

1. a small waterfall, typically one of several that fall in stages down a steep rocky slope. ∎ a mass of something that falls or hangs in copious or luxuriant quantities: a cascade of pink bougainvillea.

∎ a large number or amount of something occurring or arriving in rapid succession: a cascade of antiwar literature.

2. a process whereby something, typically information or knowledge, is successively passed on: [as adj.] the greater the number of people who are well briefed, the wider the cascade effect.

∎ a succession of devices or stages in a process, each of which triggers or initiates the next.

• v. 1. [intr.] (of water) pour downward rapidly and in large quantities: water was cascading down the stairs. ∎ fall or hang in copious or luxuriant quantities: blonde hair cascaded down her back.

2. [tr.] arrange (a number of devices or objects) in a series or sequence.