Contents |
English
Alternative forms
- catastrophë (now rare)
Etymology
From Ancient Greek καταστροφή (katastrophē) from καταστρέφω (katastrephō), “‘I overturn’”) from κατά (kata), “‘down, against’”) + στρέφω (strephō), “‘I turn’”)
Pronunciation
Noun
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Singular catastrophe |
Plural catastrophes |
catastrophe (plural catastrophes)
- Any large and disastrous event of great significance.
- (insurance) A disaster beyond expectations
- (narratology) The dramatic event that initiates the resolution of the plot in a tragedy.
- (mathematics) A type of bifurcation, where a system shifts between two stable states.
Derived terms
- catastrophe bond
- catastrophe theory
Related terms
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