catastrophic

Variant of catastrophe

catastrophe definition

ca·tas·tro·phe (kə tas′trə fē)

noun

  1. the culminating event of a drama, esp. of a tragedy, by which the plot is resolved; denouement
  2. a disastrous end, bringing overthrow or ruin
  3. any great and sudden calamity, disaster, or misfortune
  4. a total or ignominious failure
  5. Geol. a sudden, violent change, such as an earthquake

Etymology: L catastropha < Gr katastrophē, an overthrowing < katastrephein, to overturn < kata-, down + strephein, to turn: see strophe

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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