a. [f. as prec. + -AL.] Referring to, dealing with, catastrophes; also = prec.
1826. Blackw. Mag., XIX. Pref. 24. Paragraphs circuitously approaching … to a catastrophical climax.
1876. Contemp. Rev., XXVIII. 740. A … disturbance of the laws and direction of matter and force,—sudden, and catastrophical.
Hence Catastrophically adv.
1872. Bagehot, Physics & Pol. (1876), 155. As soon as that repression was catastrophically removed.
