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debacle
[ dee-bah-kuhl, dey-, duh-, -bak-uhl ]
/ diËbÉ kÉl, deÉȘ-, dÉ-, -ËbĂŠk Él /
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noun
a general breakup or dispersion; sudden downfall or rout: The revolution ended in a debacle.
a complete collapse or failure.
a breaking up of ice in a river.Compare embacle.
a violent rush of waters or ice.
OTHER WORDS FOR debacle
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Origin of debacle
1795â1805; <French dĂ©bĂącle, derivative of dĂ©bĂącler to unbar, clear, equivalent to dĂ©-dis-1 + bĂącler to bar âȘ Latin baculum stick, rod
Words nearby debacle
deattribution, Deauville, deave, deb, de-Baathification, debacle, debag, De Bakey, debar, debark, debase
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use debacle in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for debacle
debacle
/ (deÉȘËbÉËkÉl, dÉȘ-) /
noun
a sudden disastrous collapse or defeat, esp one involving a disorderly retreat; rout
the breaking up of ice in a river during spring or summer, often causing flooding
a violent rush of water carrying along debris
Word Origin for debacle
C19: from French débùcle, from Old French desbacler to unbolt, ultimately from Latin baculum rod, staff
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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