| 释义 |
cataclysm|ˈkætəklɪz(ə)m|
Also 7 -clisme.
[a. F. cataclysme (16th c. in Littré), ad. Gr. κατακλυσµός deluge (also fig.), f. κατα-κλύζειν to deluge, f. κατά down + κλύζ-ειν to wash, dash as a wave.]
A great and general flood of water, a deluge; esp. the Noachian deluge, the Flood.
In Geol. resorted to by some as a hypothesis to account for various phenomena; hence used vaguely for a sudden convulsion or alteration of physical conditions.
1637Heywood Roy. Ship 3 More soules..then perisht in the first Vniversall Cataclisme. 1660R. Coke Power & Subj. 91 Mankind sinned Malitiously, before God brought the general cataclysme upon them. 1833Lyell Princ. Geol. III. 101 For the proofs of these general cataclysms we have searched in vain. 1878H. M. Stanley Dark Cont. II. ii. 52 The accumulated waters..will sweep through the ancient gap with the force of a cataclysm. 1879tr. Haeckel's Evol. Man I. iv. 77 The hypothesis usually called the Theory of Cataclysms or Catastrophes.
2. fig.; esp. a political or social upheaval which sweeps away the old order of things.
1633True Trojans ii. 1 in Hazl. Dodsley XII. 468 Ready to pour down cataclysms of blood. 1633T. Adams Exp. 2 Peter ii. 6 Heaven rained on them great cataclysms of flames. 1861Sat. Rev. 20 July 67 That the Indian army surgeons will be swept away in the general cataclysm. 1882J. H. Blunt Ref. Ch. Eng. II. 108 In the general upheaval of doctrine..during the Reformation cataclysm. |