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Webster 1913 Edition


Disaster

Dis-as′ter

,
Noun.
[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.
Shakespeare
2.
An adverse or unfortunate event, esp. a sudden and extraordinary misfortune; a calamity; a serious mishap.
Syn. – Calamity; misfortune; mishap; mischance; visitation; misadventure; ill luck. See
Calamity
.

Dis-as′ter

,
Verb.
T.
1.
To blast by the influence of a baleful star.
[Obs.]
Sir P. Sidney.
2.
To bring harm upon; to injure.
[R.]
Thomson.

Webster 1828 Edition


Disaster

DISASTER

,
Noun.
Dizaster. [Gr., a star; a word of astrological origin.]
1.
A blast or stroke of an unfavorable planet.
2.
Misfortune; mishap; calamity; any unfortunate event, especially a sudden misfortune; as, we met with many disasters on the road.

DISASTER

,
Verb.
T.
To blast by the stroke of an unlucky planet; also, to injure; to afflict.

Definition 2024


Disaster

Disaster

See also: disaster

German

Noun

Disaster

  1. Misspelling of Desaster.

disaster

disaster

See also: Disaster

English

Alternative forms

Noun

disaster (plural disasters)

  1. 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.
    • 2013 June 29, High and wet”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8842, page 28:
      Floods in northern India, mostly in the small state of Uttarakhand, have wrought disaster on an enormous scale. The early, intense onset of the monsoon on June 14th swelled rivers, washing away roads, bridges, hotels and even whole villages. Rock-filled torrents smashed vehicles and homes, burying victims under rubble and sludge.
  2. An unforeseen event causing great loss, upset or unpleasantness of whatever kind.
    • 1959, Georgette Heyer, chapter 1, in The Unknown Ajax:
      And no use for anyone to tell Charles that this was because the Family was in mourning for Mr Granville Darracott […]: Charles might only have been second footman at Darracott Place for a couple of months when that disaster occurred, but no one could gammon him into thinking that my lord cared a spangle for his heir.
    • 2003, The Devil Wears Prada
      A nod means good, two nods; very good. And then there's the pursing of the lips: disaster.

Synonyms

  • See also Wikisaurus:disaster

Derived terms

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