Where does “cataclysm” come from?
Cataclysm comes from French cataclysme, from Latin cataclysmus, from Ancient Greek κατακλυσμός, combining κατά meaning down with a root from Proto-Indo-European ḱóm.
cataclysm (English): A sudden, violent event; A sudden and violent...
Definitions
- A sudden, violent event; A sudden and violent...
Ancestry of “cataclysm”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | French | cataclysme | cataclysm |
| 2 | Latin | cataclysmus | deluge, flood, inundation; shower, douche |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | κατακλυσμός | flood, inundation; deluge |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | κατακλύζω | to dash over, flood, deluge, inundate; I wash... |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | κᾰτᾰ- | fully; down; denoting motion downwards |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | κατά | |
| 7 | Ancient Greek | καταστερίζω | to place among the stars; I put among the stars |
| 8 | Ancient Greek | ἀστήρ | a celestial body; illustrious person; starfish |
| 9 | Proto-Hellenic | astḗr | star |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂stḗr | star |
| 11 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂eHs- | to be/become dry; to burn, to glow; hearth |