CATASTROPHE, CATASTROPHY, noun 1. The change or revolution which produces the final event of a dramatic piece; or the unfolding and winding up of the plot, clearing up difficulties, and closing the play. The ancients divided a play into the protasis, epitasis, catastasis, and catastrophy; the introduction, continuance, heightening, and development or conclusion. 2. A final event; conclusion; generally, an unfortunate conclusion, calamity, or disaster.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI