Webster
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Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Disaster

Dis·as′ter, n. [F. désastre; pref. dés- (L. dis-) + astre star, fr. L. astrum; a word of astrological origin. See Aster, Astral, Star.] 1. An unpropitious or baleful aspect of a planet or star; malevolent influence of a heavenly body; hence, an ill portent. [Obs.]

Disasters in the sun. Shak.

2. An adverse or unfortunate event, esp. a sudden and extraordinary misfortune; a calamity; a serious mishap.

But noble souls, through dust and heat, Rise from disaster and defeat The stronger. Longfellow.

Syn. — Calamity; misfortune; mishap; mischance; visitation; misadventure; ill luck. See Calamity.

Dis·as′ter, v. t. 1. To blast by the influence of a baleful star. [Obs.] Sir P. Sidney.

2. To bring harm upon; to injure. [R.] Thomson.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Noah Porter, editor (Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913). Public domain. Text as transcribed by MICRA, Inc., from Project Gutenberg. Changed for Deep Dive Bible: Greek, which our source spelled in Latin letters, set in Greek letters; entries of one spelling merged into one article; Greek words our source left out (shown as “?”), read from the 1898 printing, from the same plates (the Library of Congress’s copy), where the place could be found with certainty.