Catastrophe-theory
a theory, based on topology, for studying discontinuous processes and the mathematical models that describe them.
noun
a mathematical theory that classifies surfaces according to their form
the popular application of this theory to the explanation of abruptly changing phenomena, as by the discontinuity of a line on the topmost fold of a folded surface
noun
a branch of mathematics that deals with systems which have major abrupt changes, esp. using topology to explain events
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- Catastrophic
of the nature of a catastrophe, or disastrous event; calamitous: a catastrophic failure of the dam. Contemporary Examples Clean water is increasingly scarce, even as catastrophic floods are more common. Pakistan’s Impossible Year: Elections, Army Intrigue, and More Bruce Riedel December 28, 2012 In the real world, foreign policy often consists of helping to broker […]
- Catastrophic reaction
catastrophic reaction catastrophic reaction cat·a·stroph·ic reaction (kāt’ə-strŏf’ĭk) n. Disorganized behavior due to a severe shock or threatening situation with which the person cannot cope.
- Catastrophical
a sudden and widespread disaster: the catastrophe of war. any misfortune, mishap, or failure; fiasco: The play was so poor our whole evening was a catastrophe. a final event or conclusion, usually an unfortunate one; a disastrous end: the great catastrophe of the Old South at Appomattox. (in a drama) the point at which the […]
- Catastrophically
of the nature of a catastrophe, or disastrous event; calamitous: a catastrophic failure of the dam. Contemporary Examples The Thunder have now punished themselves with two catastrophically dunderheaded late-game fouls in two games. Miami Heat’s Victory Over OKC Thunder in Game 4 Signals Shorter Series Jesse Singal June 19, 2012 Flo was not just mediocre: […]
- Catastrophism
the doctrine that certain vast geological changes in the earth’s history were caused by catastrophes rather than gradual evolutionary processes. Historical Examples catastrophism and uniformitarianism are opposite extremes which must be combined and reconciled. Appletons’ Popular Science Monthly, February 1900 Various catastrophism, a short-sighted teleology, and a still more short-sighted orthodoxy, joined forces to crush […]