catastrophe

views updated May 21 2018

ca·tas·tro·phe / kəˈtastrəfē/ • n. an event causing great and often sudden damage or suffering; a disaster: a national economic catastrophe | leading the world to catastrophe. ∎  the denouement of a classical tragedy.

catastrophe

views updated May 18 2018

catastrophe dénouement of a drama; disastrous end XVII; event subversive of order XVII; sudden disaster XVIII. — L. catastropha — Gr. katastrophḗ overturning, sudden turn, f. katastréphein overturn.
Hence catastrophic XIX.