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catastrophism

[ kuh-tas-truh-fiz-uhm ]

noun

, Geology.
  1. the doctrine that certain vast geological changes in the earth's history were caused by catastrophes rather than gradual evolutionary processes.


catastrophism

/ kəˈtæstrəˌfɪzəm /

noun

  1. an old doctrine, now discarded, that the earth was created and has subsequently been shaped by sudden divine acts which have no logical connection with each other rather than by gradual evolutionary processes
  2. Also calledneo-catastrophism a modern doctrine that the gradual evolutionary processes shaping the earth have been supplemented in the past by the effects of huge natural catastrophes Compare uniformitarianism gradualism
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


catastrophism

  1. A theory holding that changes in the Earth take place swiftly and irreversibly. ( Contrast gradualism .)


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Notes

A belief in Noah 's flood is one version of catastrophism.
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Derived Forms

  • caˈtastrophist, noun
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Other Words From

  • ca·tastro·phist noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of catastrophism1

First recorded in 1865–70; catastrophe + -ism
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Example Sentences

But to deny catastrophism was to suggest a revolution in current thought.

For the idea of catastrophism had not concerned the destruction of species merely, but their introduction as well.

This view is a complete reconciliation of catastrophism and uniformitarianism, and is far more rational than either extreme.

This principle of ‘uniformity’ knocked the old teaching of catastrophism on the head.

To my mind there appears to be no sort of necessary theoretical antagonism between Catastrophism and Uniformitarianism.

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catastrophiccatastrophize