/kat"euh kliz'euhm/ , n.
1. any violent upheaval, esp. one of a social or political nature.
2. Physical Geog. a sudden and violent physical action producing changes in the earth's surface.
3. an extensive flood; deluge.
[ 1625-35; cataclysmos (Vulgate) kataklysmós flood (akin to kataklýzein to flood), equiv. to kata- CATA- + klysmós a washing ]
Syn. 1. See disaster .