A large-scale and violent event in the natural world; a sudden violent upheaval that causes great destruction or brings about fundamental change. Cataclysms can be literal disasters or metaphorical upheavals.
From Greek 'kataklysmos,' meaning 'deluge' or 'flood,' combining 'kata' (down) and 'klyzein' (to wash). Originally referred to the biblical flood, but expanded to mean any catastrophic event that washes away the old order.
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