myEtymology.com: French etymology of catastrophe

Etymology of the French word catastrophe

the French word catastrophe

derived from the Late Latin word catastropha (sensational act, coup de theatre; turning point of an action)

derived from the Greek word katastrophe, καταστροφή (an overturn ('catastrophe'); demolition; figuratively, apostasy)

derived from the Greek word katastrephein, καταστρέφειν (to turn upside down; upset)

using the Greek prefix kata-, κατα-

derived from the Greek word kata, κατά (down)

derived from the Greek word strephein, στρέφειν, στρέϕω, στρέφω

The earliest known usage of catastrophe in French dates from the 16th century.