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 ( def 4 ).
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.”

Notes

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

A jury heard Huang, who was aged 16 at the time of the attack, used weapons he had collected to prepare for a zombie apocalypse.

From BBC

Most people probably like that idea, but for MAGA, it's apparently the apocalypse.

From Salon

Drivers there raced across I-70 as if they were fleeing the apocalypse.

From Salon

Giving evidence, he claimed he kept two hammers by his bed for "protection" from a "zombie apocalypse".

From BBC

One of the most terrifying programmes ever shown on British television, Threads is the nuclear apocalypse drama-documentary that continues to haunt people’s nightmares 40 years on.

From BBC

Related Words

• annihilation
• cataclysm
• catastrophe
• devastation