apocalyptist
|a-poc-a-lyp-tist|
🇺🇸
/əˈpɑːkəˌlɪpɪst/
🇬🇧
/əˈpɒkəˌlɪpɪst/
one who predicts/believes in the apocalypse
Etymology
'apocalyptist' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'apokalypsis' (ἀποκάλυψις), where 'apo-' meant 'away, off' and 'kalyptō' (or the root 'kalypsis') meant 'to cover' (so 'apokalypsis' meant 'uncovering, revelation').
'apocalyptist' changed from Late Latin and Medieval Latin 'apocalypsis' and Middle English 'apocalypse', and eventually became the modern English noun 'apocalyptist' by the addition of the suffix '-ist' meaning 'one who'.
Initially, it meant 'uncovering' or 'revelation', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a person concerned with, predicting, or believing in the end of the world'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who studies, preaches, or believes in the apocalypse or end-times; an adherent of apocalypticism.
The apocalyptist warned that climate change could trigger an apocalyptic collapse.
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Noun 2
a writer or thinker who produces apocalyptic literature or predictions about final events or judgment.
Many apocalyptists in history wrote vivid accounts of the Last Judgment.
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Last updated: 2025/09/19 00:10