The word "hazard" is spelled with a "z" instead of an "s" sound at the beginning because it comes from the Arabic word "az-zahr" meaning "the dice." In English, the spelling follows the pronunciation of the Arabic, with the "za" sound represented by the letter "z." The IPA phonetic transcription for the word "hazard" is /ˈhæzərd/, with the stress on the first syllable and the "z" sound represented by the symbol for the voiced alveolar fricative.
A hazard is a potential source or situation that poses a threat to individuals, property, or the environment. It refers to any condition, substance, or activity that has the potential to cause harm, injury, damage, or danger. Hazards can materialize in various forms and range from natural occurrences to human-made situations.
Natural hazards are phenomena that arise from the natural environment, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, volcanic eruptions, or wildfires. These events occur without human intervention and can pose significant risks to communities and ecosystems.
On the other hand, human-made hazards are created by human activity and can include industrial processes, transportation accidents, chemical spills, or nuclear incidents. These hazards can result from human error, negligence, or improper handling of materials.
Hazards are also categorized based on their potential to cause harm. Some hazards present an immediate threat, such as a fire, explosion, or toxic gas release, while others may accumulate over time, such as exposure to hazardous substances or unsafe working conditions.
In order to mitigate hazards and minimize their impact, various preventive measures and safety protocols are implemented. Risk assessment, hazard identification, and emergency response planning are essential components in addressing and managing hazards effectively. By understanding and addressing potential hazards proactively, risks can be reduced, and the safety and well-being of individuals and their surroundings can be safeguarded.
• That which falls or comes unexpectedly; chance; accident; chance of danger; venture; a game at dice.
• To put in danger; to expose to chance; to risk; to try the chance.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "hazard" originated from the Old French word "hasard", which came from the Arabic word "az-zahr". "Az-zahr" means "the dice" in Arabic.