Definitions for: Disaster


[n] an act that has disastrous consequences
[n] an event resulting in great loss and misfortune; "the whole city was affected by the irremediable calamity"; "the earthquake was a disaster"
[n] a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune; "lack of funds has resulted in a catastrophe for our school system"; "his policies were a disaster"



Webster (1913) Definition: Dis*as"ter, n. [F. d['e]sastre; pref. d['e]s- (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. --Shak.

2. An adverse or unfortunate event, esp. a sudden and
extraordinary misfortune; a calamity; a serious mishap.

But noble souls, through dust and heat, Rise from
disaster and defeat The stronger. --Longfellow.

Syn: Calamity; misfortune; mishap; mischance; visitation;
misadventure; ill luck. See Calamity.


Dis*as"ter, v. t.
1. To blast by the influence of a baleful star. [Obs.] --Sir
P. Sidney.

2. To bring harm upon; to injure. [R.] --Thomson.

Synonyms: calamity, cataclysm, catastrophe, catastrophe, tragedy

See Also: act of God, adversity, apocalypse, bad luck, destruction, devastation, force majeure, hardship, inevitable accident, kiss of death, misfortune, plague, unavoidable casualty, vis major, visitation

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