Definition of ESCALATE – ESCALATE in a Sentence

The origin and definition of ESCALATE are clearly explained. Then get a deeper understanding for the word by seeing ESCALATE in a sentence.

Take a few moments to look at the pictures as they serve as a memory aid. Then read the sentence example.

A helpful comment is also made regarding the most common contexts in which the word ‘escalate’ is used.

Here is a transcript of the video “The Origin and Meaning of ESCALATE” . . .

Slide 2:
The definition of ESCALATE is:

to increase, often rapidly, in

intensity
quantity

Slide 3:
Origin of ESCALATE

Around 1900 the Otis Elevator Company in the U.S.A. made a moving staircase. The trade name was ESCALATOR, probably taken from Latin scalāre “to scale a wall, climb”.

So ESCALATE originally meant “to ascend on an escalator”.

In the late 1950s the term came to be used generally for something that increases.

Note: Otis’ claim on the word ESCALATOR has been challenged. See Wikipedia under Escalator

Slide 4:
Tensions escalated when the police appeared with wooden batons.

Slide 5:
December, 2020 saw a major escalation in the number of new COVID-19 cases in many countries.

Slide 6:
While eating disorders are common among women and teenage girls, they continue to escalate among all age groups and genders.

Slide 7:
In October 2020, violence escalated dramatically in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, according to a UNICEF report.

Slide 8:
From these examples, note that the word ‘escalate’ is mainly used in a negative context.

It is commonly used with the words ‘tension’ and ‘violence’.

Slide 9:
As a memory aid, link ‘escalate’ with ‘escalator’.

An escalator takes you up. To escalate means to INCREASE

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If you are interested in the definition of ESCALATE, and seeing ESCALATE in a sentence, be sure to check this page:
What is the Definition of ZOMBIE?

Image Credits

Slides 4 – police
Creative Commons
https://flic.kr/p/2jy1NsT

Slide 5 – COVID-19
Creative Commons
https://flic.kr/p/2iQQLhS

Slide 6 – eating disorder
Creative Commons
https://flic.kr/p/pUGX7Z

Slide 7 – Nagorno-Karabakh
Fair Use
https://thefrontierpost.com/a-frozen-conflict-erupts-between-nagorno-karabakh/

Slides 1,9 – escalator
Creative Commons
https://flic.kr/p/2bapKZ9

Regarding the use of illustrations and photographs used in this video:

Fair Use
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https://copyright.gov/fair-use/more-info.html

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