calamity

views updated Jun 08 2018

ca·lam·i·ty / kəˈlamitē/ • n. (pl. -ties) an event causing great and often sudden damage or distress; a disaster. ∎  disaster and distress: the journey had led to calamity.DERIVATIVES: ca·lam·i·tous / -itəs/ adj.ca·lam·i·tous·ly adv.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

calamity

views updated May 17 2018

calamity grievous affliction or distress XV; grievous disaster XVI. — (O)F. calamité — L. calamitās; see -ITY.
So calamitous XVI. — F. calamiteux or L. calamitōsus.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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