calamity

n., pl., -ties.

1. An event that brings terrible loss, lasting distress, or severe affliction; a disaster: A hurricane would be a calamity for this low-lying coastal region.
2. Dire distress resulting from loss or tragedy.

[Middle English calamite, from Old French, from Latin calamitās.]

noun

An occurrence inflicting widespread destruction and distress: cataclysm, catastrophe, disaster, tragedy. See help/harm/harmless.

n

Definition: disaster; tragedy
Antonyms: advantage, blessing, boon, comfort, fortune, good fortune, good luck, happiness, joy, profit

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A cynical view of the world by Ambrose Bierce

n.

A more than commonly plain and unmistakable reminder that the affairs of this life are not of our own ordering. Calamities are of two kinds: misfortune to ourselves, and good fortune to others.

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IN BRIEF: A happening that brings great trouble or misery.

When any calamity has been suffered, the first thing to be remembered is how much has been escaped. — Samuel Johnson (1709-1784).

Quotes:

"Calamities are of two kinds: misfortune to ourselves, and good fortune to others." - Ambrose Bierce

"Calamity is the perfect glass wherein we truly see and know ourselves." - William Davenant

"Every calamity is a spur and valuable hint." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Calamity is man's true touchstone." - Beaumont and Fletcher

"Do not accustom yourself to consider debt only as an inconvenience. You will find it a calamity." - Samuel Johnson

"It is only from the belief of the goodness and wisdom of a supreme being, that our calamities can be borne in the manner which becomes a man." - Henry Mackenzie

See more famous quotes about Calamity

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Dansk (Danish)
n. - ulykke, jammer

Nederlands (Dutch)
ramp, onheil, calamiteit, ellende

Français (French)
n. - calamité

Deutsch (German)
n. - Unheil, Schicksalsschlag, Elend

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - συμφορά, καταστροφή

Italiano (Italian)
calamità

Português (Portuguese)
n. - calamidade (f)

Русский (Russian)
бедствие

Español (Spanish)
n. - calamidad, desastre, desgracia

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - katastrof

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
灾难, 不幸事件

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 災難, 不幸事件

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 재난, 불행

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 不幸, 惨禍, 苦難, 惨事

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) كارثه, نكبه, فاجعه‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮אסון, שואה‬

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