cataclasm etymology

Etymology:

  • Greek "kata-" (down, down from) + "klasma" (breaking, shattering)

Meaning:

  • A violent and sudden shattering or breaking
  • A condition of great social, economic, or environmental upheaval

Origin:

The term "cataclysm" was coined in the early 19th century by the French geologist Georges Cuvier. Cuvier used the term to describe the sudden and catastrophic extinction events that he believed had shaped the history of the Earth.

Usage:

The term "cataclysm" is often used to describe events that have a devastating and transformative impact on society or the environment. Examples of cataclysmic events include:

  • Earthquakes
  • Hurricanes
  • Tsunamis
  • Volcanic eruptions
  • Wars
  • Economic crises
  • Climate change

cataclasm relate terms

  • holt

    Etymology Old English holt holt meaning a wood grove copse Proto Germanic hultaz

  • cata

    Etymology The word cata is derived from the Greek prefix κατά kata which means

  • catapult

    Etymology The word catapult comes from the Greek words ката kata meaning d

  • catachresis

    Etymology From Late Latin catachrēsis from Greek κατάχρησις katachrēsis

  • catalogue

    Etymology The word catalogue originates from the Greek word katálogos which means

  • rogue

    Etymology The etymology of the word rogue can be traced back to the 16th century when

  • smart

    Etymology of smart Middle English smarte smerte Old English smeortan smeort Proto

  • quintessence

    Etymology From Late Latin quintessentia fifth essence from Latin quinta essentia

  • prowess

    Etymology From Old French proesce proëce prowess valor from Vulgar Latin prodec

  • discriminate

    Etymology The word discriminate originates from the Latin word discriminare meaning

  • Caesar

    Etymology The name Caesar is derived from the Latin word caedere meaning to cut

  • hail

    Etymology The word hail comes from the Proto Germanic root hagul meaning hailstone

  • brain

    Etymology The word brain is derived from the Old English word brægen which is cogna

  • attrition

    Etymology The word attrition is derived from the Latin word attritio which means ru

  • connotation

    Etymology From Late Latin connotatio from Latin connotare meaning to note together