earthquake

Pronunciation: /ˈɝθkweɪk/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground movement along a fault plane of from volcanic activity
  2. noun a disturbance that is extremely disruptive

Etymology

From Middle English erthequake, corresponding to earth + quake. Displaced Middle English eorð byfung (“earthquake”) from Old English eorþbeofung (literally “earth shaking”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

quake, temblor, seism

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
geological phenomenon
Narrower (hyponyms)
tremor, shock, seaquake

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