Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Escalation has 2 different meanings across 1 category:
an increase to counteract a perceived discrepancy
"higher wages caused an escalation of prices"
"there was a gradual escalation of hostilities"
an increase or rise, especially one to counteract a perceived discrepancy
"When the initial complaint about the billing error went unanswered, the customer's frustration quickly led to an escalation of their demands."