Involving sudden, violent, and often destructive events; catastrophic on a massive scale.
From Greek 'kataklusmos' (flood/deluge), from 'kata-' (down) + 'kluzein' (to wash). Originally referred to the Great Flood of mythology, then extended to any massive destructive event.
The word 'cataclysmic' literally means 'washed down'—it comes from the ancient Greek word for the mythological Great Flood, making every use of this word carry echoes of humanity's oldest fear: being overwhelmed by forces of nature.
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