Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DIS-AS'TER, n. [diz'aster; Fr. desastre; Sp. and Port. id.; It. disastro; dis and astre; Gr. αςηρ, a star; a word of astrological origin.]

1. A blast or stroke of an unfavorable planet. [Obs.] – Shak.
2. Misfortune; mishap; calamity; any unfortunate event, especially a sudden misfortune; as, we met with many disasters on the road.