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Where does the word "catastrophe" come from? It comes from Greek katastrophe, and was adopted directly into English (1500s).
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Where does the word "catastrophe" come from? It comes from Greek katastrophe, and was adopted directly into English (1500s).
Catastrophe’s story begins in Greek: katastrophe meant “a sudden overturning or turning point.” Literally an overturning, originally the turning point of a tragedy. It reached English by 1500s as catastrophe. Broadened from a tragic plot's ending to any disaster. Today, catastrophe means a sudden and widespread disaster or misfortune.
- Stage 1 · Greek · ancient katastrophe "a sudden overturning or turning point", literally an overturning, originally the turning point of a tragedy.
- Stage 2 · English · 1500s catastrophe "a sudden, widespread disaster", broadened from a tragic plot's ending to any disaster.