From Old French 'jeu parti' (divided game, even chance) — originally a chess position so balanced that the outcome was uncertain.
Danger of loss, harm, or failure; peril.
From Anglo-Norman 'juparti' (a divided or even game), from Old French 'jeu parti' (a divided game, an even chance) — from 'jeu' (game) + 'parti' (divided). In chess, a 'jeu parti' was a position so evenly balanced that the outcome was uncertain. Uncertainty became danger. Key roots: jeu (Old French: "game"), parti (Old French: "divided, equal").