adj.
Pronunciation: ' s ī z-mik, ' s ī s-
Function: adjective
Etymology: Greek seismos shock, earthquake, from seiein to shake; probably akin to Avestan thwa ē sh ō fear
Date: 1858
1 : of, subject to, or caused by an earthquake also : of or relating to an earth vibration caused by something else (as an explosion or the impact of a meteorite)
2 : of or relating to a vibration on a celestial body (as the moon) comparable to a seismic event on earth
3 : having a strong or widespread impact : EARTHSHAKING < seismic social changes>
– seis · mi · cal · ly \ -mi-k( ə -)l ē \ adverb