Cataclysm

Cataclysm

The cataclysm is the Greek expression for the Deluge, from the Greek "kataklysmos", to 'wash down' ('kluzein' wash - 'kata' down'). Erudite Bible studies drew it into the English language in 1633 and it has also been used to describe biblical events such as the Flood of Noah, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and . The modern usage of "cataclysm" is mostly confined to geological phenomena of high significance such as the destruction of Pompeii, the Tunguska event, 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake or the Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 collision with Jupiter.

ee also


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Cataclysm — Cat a*clysm, n. [L. cataclysmos, Gr. kataklysmo s, from ? to dash over, inundate; kata downward, against + ? to wash or dash over: cf. F. cataclysme.] 1. An extensive overflow or sweeping flood of water; a deluge. [1913 Webster] 2. (Geol.) Any… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cataclysm — I noun alluvion, avalanche, convulsion, crash, debacle, deluge, disaster, disturbance, earthquake, eruption, extensive flood, flood, holocaust, inundation, overflow, overflowing, overrunning, quake, storm, temblor, tidal wave, tremor, upheaval,… …   Law dictionary

  • cataclysm — (n.) 1630s, from Fr. cataclysme, from L. cataclysmos, from Gk. kataklysmos deluge, flood, inundation, from kata down (see CATA (Cf. cata )) + klyzein to wash, from PIE *kleue to wash, clean (see CLOACA (Cf …   Etymology dictionary

  • cataclysm — catastrophe, *disaster, calamity Analogous words: convulsing or convulsion, rocking, shaking, agitation (see corresponding verbs at SHAKE): revolution (see REBELLION): *misfortune, mischance, mishap …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • cataclysm — [n] disaster calamity, cataract, catastrophe, collapse, convulsion, crunch*, curtains*, debacle, deluge, disturbance, double trouble*, flood, flooding, holy mess*, inundation, misadventure, ruin, torrent, tragedy, unholy mess*, upheaval,… …   New thesaurus

  • cataclysm — ► NOUN ▪ a violent upheaval or disaster. DERIVATIVES cataclysmic adjective cataclysmically adverb. ORIGIN originally denoting the biblical Flood: from Greek kataklusmos deluge …   English terms dictionary

  • cataclysm — [kat′ə kliz΄əm] n. [L cataclysmos < Gr kataklysmos < kataklyzein < kata , down + klyzein, to wash: for IE base see CLOACA] 1. a great flood; deluge 2. any great upheaval, as an earthquake or a war, that causes sudden and violent changes …   English World dictionary

  • Cataclysm — Homeworld: Cataclysm  компьютерная игра 2000 года в жанре космической стратегии. World of Warcraft: Cataclysm  третье дополнение к MMORPG игре World of Warcraft. См. также Катаклизм …   Википедия

  • cataclysm — UK [ˈkætəˌklɪz(ə)m] / US [ˈkætəˌklɪzəm] noun [countable] Word forms cataclysm : singular cataclysm plural cataclysms literary 1) a sudden violent change, especially a social or political one 2) a sudden natural event that causes a lot of damage,… …   English dictionary

  • cataclysm — [[t]kæ̱təklɪzəm[/t]] cataclysms N COUNT A cataclysm is an event that causes great change or harm. [FORMAL] …   English dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”