apocalypse

[uh-pok-uh-lips]

noun

1. 1. a prophecy or revelation, especially regarding a final cataclysmic battle between good and evil.

   2. the apocalypse, in some belief systems, a final cataclysmic battle of this kind, in which evil is defeated and the present age brought to a close.

      According to traditional evangelical teaching, the apocalypse will begin with a time of persecution.

   3. the apocalypse, the end of civilization; the complete destruction or collapse of the world as we know it (sometimes used facetiously).

      On both ends of the political spectrum, visions of the apocalypse and predictions of doom abound.

      We thought this recession might be the apocalypse, and sales would go down to 1 percent.

2. any universal or widespread destruction or disaster.

   If humanity is to avoid a nuclear apocalypse, a whole new level of international cooperation is urgently required.

3. Apocalypse. Revelation.

4. any piece of literature belonging to a genre of Jewish or Christian writings that appeared from about 200 b.c. to the late Middle Ages and were assumed to reveal God’s ultimate purpose.

apocalypse

¹

/ əˈpɒkəlɪps /

noun

1. a prophetic disclosure or revelation

2. an event of great importance, violence, etc, like the events described in the Apocalypse

Apocalypse

²

/ əˈpɒkəlɪps /

noun

1. Bible (in the Vulgate and Douay versions of the Bible) the Book of Revelation

Apocalypse

1. Another name for the New Testament Book of Revelation; from the Greek word for “revelation.”

An “apocalypse” is a final catastrophe.

The Apocalypse is supposed to come at the end of the world or of time.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Apocalypse¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English, from Late Latin apocalypsis, from Greek apokálypsis “revelation,” from apokalýp(tein) “to uncover, reveal” (from apo- apo- + kalýptein “to cover, conceal”; eucalyptus ) + -sis -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of Apocalypse¹

C13: from Late Latin apocalypsis, from Greek apokalupsis, from apokaluptein to disclose, from _apo- + kaluptein to hide

Example Sentences

But if they think this current moment is frightening, just wait until the coming reapportionment apocalypse.

From Salon

For some of us, it’s been an apocalypse and for others of us, who can return to our homes, a report card of our capacity for empathy.

From Los Angeles Times

Wednesday’s inner voice answers, “When the sun explodes and the Earth is consumed in a molten apocalypse.”

From Los Angeles Times

The self-styled Prince of Darkness turned the grim, creeping feeling of late ’60s Birmingham into incredibly influential songs about the occult and the apocalypse.

From Salon

"I've always been into the zombie and apocalypse themes growing up. I used to play them with my older brothers," he says.

From BBC

Related Words

• annihilation 
• cataclysm 
• catastrophe 
• devastation