See Also: catastrophe(dictionary)
catastrophe(dictionary)
catastrophe theory(medicine)
Catastrophe call(money)
Catastrophe call(finance)
catastrophe theory(encyclopedia)
Catastrophe Hazard - Motor Sports(gambling)

catastrophe (iou)



catastrophe noun. M16.
[Latin catastropha from Greek katastrophe overturning, sudden turn, from katastrephein, formed as CATA- + strephein turn.]
1. The denouement of a play, esp. a tragedy; the final resolution of a novel etc. M16.
2. A disastrous conclusion; overthrow, ruin, calamitous fate. L16.
b. The buttocks. joc. rare (Shakes.). Only in L16.
3. A revolutionary event. L17.
b. Geology. (An event causing) a sudden upheaval or discontinuity in the stratigraphic record. M19.
4. A sudden or widespread or noteworthy disaster; an extreme misfortune. M18.
Phrases: ultraviolet catastrophe: see ULTRAVIOLET adjective 2.
Comb.: catastrophe theory Math. the topological description of systems which display abrupt discontinuous change.
catastrophic adjective of or pertaining to a catastrophe; disastrous, dreadful: M19.
cata'strophical adjective = catastrophic E19.
cata'strophically adverb L19.