n.
Pronunciation: k ə - ' la-m ə -t ē
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -ties
Etymology: Middle English calamytey, from Latin calamitat-, calamitas; perhaps akin to Latin clades destruction
Date: 15th century
1 : a state of deep distress or misery caused by major misfortune or loss
2 : a disastrous event marked by great loss and lasting distress and suffering < calamities of nature> <an economic calamity >