Lexic.us

Definition of Disaster

1. Noun. A state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune. "His policies were a disaster"

2. Noun. An event resulting in great loss and misfortune. "The earthquake was a disaster"

3. Noun. An act that has disastrous consequences.

Definition of Disaster

1. n. An unpropitious or baleful aspect of a planet or star; malevolent influence of a heavenly body; hence, an ill portent.

2. v. t. To blast by the influence of a baleful star.

Definition of Disaster

1. Noun. 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. ¹

2. Noun. An unforeseen event causing great loss, upset or unpleasantness of whatever kind. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Disaster

1. a calamity [n -S] - See also: calamity

Medical Definition of Disaster

1. 1. An unpropitious or baleful aspect of a planet or star; malevolent influence of a heavenly body; hence, an ill portent. "Disasters in the sun." (Shak) 2. An adverse or unfortunate event, especially. 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) Synonym: Calamity, misfortune, mishap, mischance, visitation, misadventure, ill luck. See Calamity. Origin: F. Desastre; pref. Des- (L. Dis-) + astre star, fr. L. Astrum; a word of astrological origin. See Aster, Astral, Star. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Disaster

disaster (current term) disaster area disaster planning disaster supplies kit disaster waiting to happen disasterly disasterous disasterously disasters disasters waiting to happen

disastre disastrous disastrously disastrousness disatisfied

Literary usage of Disaster

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. United States Supreme Court Reports by Lawyers Co-operative Publishing Company, United States Supreme Court (1888)
"were engaged in navigating the ship at the time of the disaster, so that the case was within section 6 of chapter 73 of the Public Statutes of Massachusetts ..."

2. Documentary History of Reconstruction: Political, Military, Social by Walter Lynwood Fleming (1907)
"[December, 1875] LOOK upon their election [Whipper and Moses as judges] sa horrible disaster — a disaster equally great to the State to the Republican party ..."

3. Recollections of President Lincoln and His Administration by Lucius Eugene Chittenden (1904)
"The loss of the capital he regarded as a disaster that would probably be fatal, because it would give Great Britain a pretext for intervening in our affairs ..."

4. Southern History of the War: The First Year of the War by Edward Alfred Pollard (1863)
"Comparative Unimportance of the disaster.—The BATTLE OF ROA.NOEX ISLAND. ... Causes of the disaster to the South.—Investigation in Congress. ..."

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