Disaster
[dɪ'zɑːstə] or [dɪ'zæstɚ]
Definition
(n.) An unpropitious or baleful aspect of a planet or star; malevolent influence of a heavenly body; hence, an ill portent.
(n.) An adverse or unfortunate event, esp. a sudden and extraordinary misfortune; a calamity; a serious mishap.
(v. t.) To blast by the influence of a baleful star.
(v. t.) To bring harm upon; to injure.
Checker: Quincy
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Mishap, misfortune, reverse, mischance, calamity, catastrophe, blow, stroke, casualty.
Inputed by Enoch
Definition
n. an adverse or unfortunate event: a great and sudden misfortune: calamity.—adj. Disas′trous calamitous ruinous: gloomy foreboding disaster.—adv. Disas′trously.
Typed by Geoffrey
Unserious Contents or Definition
To dream of being in any disaster from public conveyance, you are in danger of losing property or of being maimed from some malarious disease. For a young woman to dream of a disaster in which she is a participant, foretells that she will mourn the loss of her lover by death or desertion. To dream of a disaster at sea, denotes unhappiness to sailors and loss of their gains. To others, it signifies loss by death; but if you dream that you are rescued, you will be placed in trying situations, but will come out unscathed. To dream of a railway wreck in which you are not a participant, you will eventually be interested in some accident because of some relative or friend being hurt, or you will have trouble of a business character.
Editor: Nat
Examples
- The Prussians, after the disaster of Jena in 1807, had set to work to put their house in order. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- One day, it was the ninth of September, seemed devoted to every disaster, to every harrowing incident. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- Unfortunately a sudden change came, fraught with disaster. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- Ah what disaster, if the mother's door opened just beneath him, and she saw him! D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- For two weeks no word has come back from them, but rumours were rife that they had met with a terrible disaster and that all were dead. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- Though Minorca has been twice taken, and is now probably lost for ever, that disaster has never been imputed to any neglect in the executive power. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- It was a victory that at some moments came very near disaster. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Here's a disaster--a multiplicity of disasters in short, as Lady Berwick said one day, when the compound evils fell upon her. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- Twas evident she knew not of the disaster. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- No blame attached to the officers--that lying and disaster-breeding verdict so common to our softhearted juries is seldom rendered in France. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- In reaching the point where the disaster had occurred I had to pass the divisions of Smith and Wallace. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- You will rejoice to hear that no disaster has accompanied the commencement of an enterprise which you have regarded with such evil forebodings. Mary Shelley. Frankenstein_Or_The Modern Prometheus.
- The latter, I believe, he considered a match for any kind of disaster not absolutely mortal. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- While I described the disaster, Mr. Jaggers stood, according to his wont, before the fire. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- The whole drift towards industrial training in schools has the germs of disaster within it--a preoccupation with the technique of a career. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- Encouraged by these disasters of the imperial power, the Ionian cities in Asia began for a second time to revolt against the Persians. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- What a series of misfortunes and disasters! Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- Here's a disaster--a multiplicity of disasters in short, as Lady Berwick said one day, when the compound evils fell upon her. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- So Athens was disliked and envied by her own empire; her disasters were not felt and shared as disasters by her subject-cities. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- But I can be the first to support and guard my country, now that terrific disasters and ruin have laid strong hands upon her. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- I conceived that my disasters were now completely at an end, and I looked forwards to a rich harvest, with unbounded applause. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- In consequence of the disasters that had befallen us in the past few days, Lee could be reinforced largely, and I had no doubt he would be. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- The disasters of Russia in Manchuria in 1905 released the spirit of German imperialism to bolder aggressions. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- He met with other disasters common to worthy inventors and discontinued his efforts to improve the art. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- I had no choice, after that, but to return to my proper place and my proper work, before more disasters happened to me. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- But two disasters happened to the Etruscans which so weakened them that the Romans were able at last to master them altogether. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Murders, revolts, chastisements, disasters, cunning alliances, and base betrayals, and no Herodotus to record them. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- I most fervently hope I may not have to add, a day of disasters as well. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Still bright on clouds of suffering dim Shines that soft, solemn joy; Nor care I now, how dense and grim Disasters gather nigh. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- The disasters deepened as Regulus spoke. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
Inputed by Lawrence