Etymology Map
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Apocalypse

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means the complete destruction of the world; a revelation

Where does the word "apocalypse" come from? It comes from Greek apokalypsis, passing through Late Latin before entering English (1100s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
apokalypsis
Greek · ancient
"uncovering"
an uncovering or revelation, from 'apo', off, and 'kalyptein', to cover
2
Stage 2 of 3
apocalypsis
Late Latin · ancient
"revelation"
the title of the Book of Revelation in the Latin Bible
3
Stage 3 of 3
apocalypse
English · 1100s
"revelation; catastrophe"
its sense of a world-ending catastrophe comes from the visions in the Book of Revelation
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Read the full story

Apocalypse’s story begins in Greek: apokalypsis meant “uncovering.” An uncovering or revelation, from 'apo', off, and 'kalyptein', to cover. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Late Latin as apocalypsis. The title of the Book of Revelation in the Latin Bible. It reached English by 1100s as apocalypse. Its sense of a world-ending catastrophe comes from the visions in the Book of Revelation. Today, apocalypse means the complete destruction of the world; a revelation.