ramification
noun /ˌræmɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/
/ˌræmɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/
[usually plural]- one of a number of complicated and unexpected results that follow an action or a decision
（众多复杂而又难以预料的）结果，后果 - These changes are bound to have widespread social ramifications.
这些变化注定会造成许多难以预料的社会后果。
词源mid 17th cent.: from French, from ramifier ‘form branches’, from medieval Latin ramificare, from Latin ramus ‘branch’. - These changes are bound to have widespread social ramifications.