different between adversity vs havoc

English

Etymology

From Old French adversité, from Latin adversit?tem, the accusative singular of adversit?s, from adversus, the perfect passive participle of advert? (“I turn toward”).

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /æd?v?.s?.ti/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /æd?v??.s?.ti/
• Hyphenation: ad?ver?si?ty

Noun

adversity (usually uncountable, plural adversities)

1. (uncountable) The state of adverse conditions; state of misfortune or calamity.
2. (countable) An event that is adverse; calamity.

Synonyms

• nakba

Antonyms

• (adverse event): fortuity

Related terms

• adverse
• adversely

Translations

English

Alternative forms

• havock (obsolete)

Etymology

From Middle English havok, havyk, from Old French havok in the phrase crier havok (“cry havoc”) a signal to soldiers to seize plunder, from Old French crier (“cry out, shout”) + havot (“pillaging, looting”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?hæv.?k/

Noun

havoc (usually uncountable, plural havocs)

1. widespread devastation, destruction

   • Ye gods, what havoc does ambition make / Among your works!
2. mayhem

Usage notes

The noun havoc is most often used in the set phrase wreak havoc.

Derived terms

• play havoc, raise havoc, wreak havoc, cry havoc, break havoc

Translations

Verb

havoc (third-person singular simple present havocs, present participle havocking, simple past and past participle havocked)

1. To pillage.
   • 1599, William Shakespeare, Henry V, Act I, Scene II:

     To tear and havoc more than she can eat.

2. To cause havoc.

Usage notes

As with other verbs ending in vowel + -c, the gerund-participle is sometimes spelled havocing, and the preterite and past participle is sometimes spelled havoced; for citations using these spellings, see their respective entries. However, the spellings havocking and havocked are far more common. Compare panic, picnic.

Translations

Interjection

havoc

1. A cry in war as the signal for indiscriminate slaughter.

   • Do not cry havoc, where you should but hunt / With modest warrant.

References