Etymology:
Meaning:
Calamitous refers to something that is disastrous, catastrophic, or causing great distress or harm.
Origin:
The word "calamitas" originally referred to any kind of disaster, accident, or misfortune. It was often used in the context of war, famine, or natural disasters. Over time, the meaning of the word narrowed to focus on events that were particularly severe or destructive.
The Proto-Indo-European root "*kl̥h₁mós" also appears in other words related to damage, such as "claim" (to ask for reparations for injury) and "lame" (injured in the leg). This suggests that the concept of calamity has been a part of human language for thousands of years.
Usage:
The word "calamitous" is often used to describe major disasters or events that have a profound impact on individuals or societies. Examples include wars, earthquakes, hurricanes, and economic crises. It can also be used to refer to personal misfortunes, such as the loss of a loved one or a serious illness.
Synonyms:
Etymology The word shawm is derived from the Old French term chalemie which is beli
Etymology Old English holt holt meaning a wood grove copse Proto Germanic hultaz
Etymology Origin Latin fatalis from fatum fate Meaning Of or relating to fate
Etymology The word fateful is derived from the Old English word fætle meaning fat
Etymology The word tragic originates from the ancient Greek word τραγικός tr
Etymology The word pilgrim comes from the Old French word pelegrin which itself ori
Etymology Latin missionarius from missīo sending forth expedition Old French
Etymology The word dwarf comes from the Old Norse word dvergr which is related to t
Etymology The word magpie comes from the Middle English word magpye which is thoug
Etymology The word pine is derived from the Latin word pinus which is believed to h