Diastrophe
/daɪˈæstrəfi/noun
A twisting, distortion, or deformation, especially the deformation of Earth’s crust.
Did you know?In geology, diastrophe describes the bending, folding, faulting, and uplifting of Earth’s crust—the planet literally reshaping itself through enormous internal forces.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*strebʰ-
“To twist, turn, or wind”
Ancient Greek
Greek
στρέφω (strephō)
“I turn, twist, or change direction”
Ancient Greek
Greek
διαστρέφω (diastrephō)
“I turn aside, distort, or pervert”
Ancient Greek
Greek
διαστροφή (diastrophē)
“A turning aside, distortion, or twisting”
19th Century
English
diastrophe
“A geological or physical distortion, especially deformation of the Earth’s crust”
Modern English
English
diastrophe
“Twisting, distortion, or crustal deformation”
Explore more surprising origins