DISASTER

disaster

(noun) an act that has disastrous consequences

calamity, catastrophe, disaster, tragedy, cataclysm

(noun) an event resulting in great loss and misfortune; “the whole city was affected by the irremediable calamity”; “the earthquake was a disaster”

catastrophe, disaster

(noun) a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune; “lack of funds has resulted in a catastrophe for our school system”; “his policies were a disaster”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

disaster (countable and uncountable, plural disasters)

An unexpected natural or man-made catastrophe of substantial extent causing significant physical damage or destruction, loss of life or sometimes permanent change to the natural environment.

An unforeseen event causing great loss, upset or unpleasantness of whatever kind.

Synonyms

• See also disaster

Anagrams

• TARDISes, Tardises, diasters, disastre, disrates, restiads, tardises

Source: Wiktionary


Dis*as"ter, n. Etym: [F. désastre; pref. dés- (L. dis-) + astre star, fr. L. astrum; a word of astrological origin. See Aster, Astral, Star.]

1. An unpropitious or baleful aspect of a planet or star; malevolent influence of a heavenly body; hence, an ill portent. [Obs.] Disasters in the sun. Shak.

2. An adverse or unfortunate event, esp. a sudden and extraordinary misfortune; a calamity; a serious mishap. But noble souls, through dust and heat, Rise from disaster and defeat The stronger. Longfellow.

Syn.

– Calamity; misfortune; mishap; mischance; visitation; misadventure; ill luck. See Calamity.

Dis*as"ter, v. t.

1. To blast by the influence of a baleful star. [Obs.] Sir P. Sidney.

2. To bring harm upon; to injure. [R.] Thomson.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

24 November 2024

CUNT

(noun) a person (usually but not necessarily a woman) who is thoroughly disliked; “she said her son thought Hillary was a bitch”


coffee icon

Coffee Trivia

The earliest credible evidence of coffee-drinking as the modern beverage appeared in modern-day Yemen. In the middle of the 15th century in Sufi shrines where coffee seeds were first roasted and brewed for drinking. The Yemenis procured the coffee beans from the Ethiopian Highlands.

coffee icon