disaster

noun

Origin

Italian and Greek roots

disastro — an ill-starred event

Overview

Meaning Now

A sudden event that causes extensive damage, loss, or failure.

Literal older meaning

an ill-starred event

Language path

Greek roots → Italian → French → Modern English

Earliest form

disastro

Earliest period

Italian

Journey

Disaster came into English through French and Italian forms meaning ill-starred. Its older image connects misfortune with the stars, while modern English uses the word for a serious failure or catastrophe.

Evolution

Italian
disastro
“bad star or ill-starred event”
Early Modern English
disaster
“an unlucky event”
Modern English
disaster
“a sudden serious failure or catastrophe”

Connections

Related words

hazardrelated
enthusiasmrelated
paradiserelated

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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.