Definitions for earthquakeˈɜrθˌkweɪk

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Random House Webster's College Dictionary

earth•quakeˈɜrθˌkweɪk(n.)

  1. a series of vibrations induced in the earth's crust by the abrupt rupture and rebound of rocks in which elastic strain has been slowly accumulating.

    Category: Geology

  2. something that is severely disruptive; upheaval.

Origin of earthquake:

1300–50

Princeton's WordNet

  1. earthquake, quake, temblor, seism(noun)

    shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground movement along a fault plane of from volcanic activity

  2. earthquake(noun)

    a disturbance that is extremely disruptive

    "selling the company caused an earthquake among the employees"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

  1. earthquake(noun)ˈɜrθˌkweɪk

    a violent movement of the earth

    the San Francisco earthquake of 1906

Wiktionary

  1. earthquake(Noun)

    A shaking of the ground, caused by volcanic activity or movement around geologic faults.

  2. Origin: ertheqwake, corresponding to .

Webster Dictionary

  1. Earthquake(noun)

    a shaking, trembling, or concussion of the earth, due to subterranean causes, often accompanied by a rumbling noise. The wave of shock sometimes traverses half a hemisphere, destroying cities and many thousand lives; -- called also earthdin, earthquave, and earthshock

  2. Earthquake(adj)

    like, or characteristic of, an earthquake; loud; starling


Translations for earthquake

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary

earthquake(noun)

a shaking of the earth's surface

The village was destroyed by an earthquake.

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