Definition of Catastrophism

1. n. The doctrine that the geological changes in the earth's crust have been caused by the sudden action of violent physical causes; -- opposed to the doctrine of uniformism.

Definition of Catastrophism

1. Noun. (geology) The doctrine that sudden catastrophes, rather than continuous change, cause the main features of the Earth's crust ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Catastrophism

1. [n -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Catastrophism

catastases
catastasis
catastate
catastates
catasterism
catasterisms
catastrophal
catastrophe
catastrophe theory
catastrophes
catastrophic
catastrophic illness
catastrophic kill
catastrophic reaction
catastrophically
catastrophism (current term)
catastrophisms
catastrophist
catastrophists
catastrophization
catastrophizations
catastrophize
catastrophizes
catatectic
catatonia
catatonias
catatonic
catatonic dementia
catatonic excitement
catatonic pupil

Literary usage of Catastrophism

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Readings in Evolution, Genetics, and Eugenics by Horatio Hackett Newman (1921)
"The prevailing theories as to historical geology during the Middle Ages involved the idea of "catastrophism." According to this view all important changes ..."

2. A History of European Thought in the Nineteenth Century by John Theodore Merz (1903)
"These words, which embody a conception since appropriately termed " catastrophism," and which picture to the mind's eye a succession of morphological ..."

3. Lectures on the Darwinian Theory by Arthur Milnes Marshall (1894)
"He formulated the doctrine of catastrophism, or the periodical annihilation of existing animals followed by re-creation in a modified form. ..."

4. The Student's Lyell: A Manual of Elementary Geology by Charles Lyell (1896)
"... several geological periods—Attempts to measure geological periods in years—The doctrines of catastrophism, Evolution, and Uniformitarianism—Evidences in ..."

5. Science by American Association for the Advancement of Science (1902)
"Scientific School, entitled ' catastrophism and the Evolution of Environment. ... Biologists consider it necessary to deny catastrophism in order to save ..."

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