Where does “catastrophe” come from?
Catastrophe comes from Ancient Greek καταστροφή, derived from the verb καταστρέφω, combining the prefix κατά with roots tracing to Proto-Indo-European ḱóm and ḱe.
catastrophe (English): any large and disastrous event of great...
Definitions
- any large and disastrous event of great...
Ancestry of “catastrophe”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | French | catastrophe | catastrophe; first-person singular present... |
| 2 | Latin | catastropha | a catastrophe |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | καταστροφή | overturning; subjugation, reduction; return of... |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | καταστρέφω | to turn down, bring down, subdue |
| 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 |