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Added 9 October 2026

earthquake

/ˈɜːθkweɪk/ noun

In Latin: terraemōtus Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about earthquake at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground movement along a fault plane or from volcanic activity.
A disturbance that is extremely disruptive.
selling the company caused an earthquake among the employees

Origin

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

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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