apocalypse

apoc·a·lypse

noun \ə-ˈpä-kə-ˌlips\

Definition of APOCALYPSE

1

a : one of the Jewish and Christian writings of 200 b.c. to a.d. 150 marked by pseudonymity, symbolic imagery, and the expectation of an imminent cosmic cataclysm in which God destroys the ruling powers of evil and raises the righteous to life in a messianic kingdom b capitalized : revelation 3

2

a : something viewed as a prophetic revelation b : armageddon

3

: a great disaster <an environmental apocalypse>

Examples of APOCALYPSE

1. His book tells of an environmental apocalypse.
2. <the fear that the next global pandemic could be an apocalypse of biblical proportions>

Origin of APOCALYPSE

Middle English, revelation, Revelation, from Anglo-French apocalipse, from Late Latin apocalypsis, from Greek apokalypsis, from apokalyptein to uncover, from apo- + kalyptein to cover — more at hell

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to APOCALYPSE

Synonyms: disaster, calamity, cataclysm, catastrophe, debacle (also débâcle), tragedy

Related Words: bloodbath, collapse, crash, meltdown; Armageddon, doomsday, end-time; convulsion, paroxysm, upheaval; accident, casualty, fatality; misadventure, mischance, misfortune, mishap; blast, blow, double whammy, one-two (or one-two punch)

Near Antonyms: godsend, manna, windfall

[+]more[-]hide

Other Bible Terms

antediluvian, apocalyptic, apocrypha, behemoth

Rhymes with APOCALYPSE

lunar eclipse, solar eclipse, total eclipse