n.
Pronunciation: ' k ā - ˌ äs
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin, from Greek ― more at GUM
Date: 15th century
1 obsolete : CHASM , ABYSS
2 a often capitalized : a state of things in which chance is supreme especially : the confused unorganized state of primordial matter before the creation of distinct forms ― compare COSMOS b : the inherent unpredictability in the behavior of a complex natural system (as the atmosphere, boiling water, or the beating heart)
3 a : a state of utter confusion <the blackout caused chaos throughout the city> b : a confused mass or mixture <a chaos of television antennas>
– cha · ot · ic \ k ā - ' ä-tik \ adjective
– cha · ot · i · cal · ly \ -ti-k( ə -)l ē \ adverb