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cataclysm

 - 3 dictionary results

cat⋅a⋅clysm

  [kat-uh-kliz-uhm]
Use cataclysm in a Sentence
–noun
1. any violent upheaval, esp. one of a social or political nature.
2. Physical Geography. a sudden and violent physical action producing changes in the earth's surface.
3. an extensive flood; deluge.
Origin:
1625–35; < LL cataclysmos (Vulgate) < Gk kataklysmós flood (akin to kataklýzein to flood), equiv. to kata- cata- + klysmós a washing

Synonyms:
1. See disaster.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To cataclysm
cat·a·clysm   (kāt'ə-klĭz'əm)   
n.  

  1. A violent upheaval that causes great destruction or brings about a fundamental change.

  2. A violent and sudden change in the earth's crust.

  3. A devastating flood.


[French cataclysme, from Latin cataclysmos, deluge, from Greek kataklusmos, from katakluzein, to inundate : kata-, intensive pref.; see cata- + kluzein, to wash away.]
cat'a·clys'mic (-klĭz'mĭk), cat'a·clys'mal (-klĭz'məl) adj., cat'a·clys'mi·cal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

cataclysm 
1633, from Fr. cataclysme, from L. cataclysmos, from Gk. kataklysmos, from kata "down" + klyzein "to wash."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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