cataclysm

== English == === Etymology === From French cataclysme, from Latin cataclysmus, from Ancient Greek κατακλυσμός (kataklusmós, “deluge, flood”), from κατακλύζω (kataklúzō, “to dash over, flood, deluge, inundate”), from κατά (katá, “downwards, towards”) + κλύζω (klúzō, “to wash off, to wash away, to dash over”). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈkætəˌklɪzm̩/ === Noun === cataclysm (plural cataclysms) A sudden, violent event. (geology) A sudden and violent change in the earth's crust. A great flood. ==== Usage notes ==== Not to be confused with catechism. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== catastrophe ==== Translations ====