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debacle

de·ba·cle [ də bk'l, də bák'l ] (plural de·ba·cles)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. chaotic failure: a sudden disaster, defeat, or humiliating failure

2. breakup of river ice: a sudden breakup of river ice in the spring thaw, causing a violent rush of water and ice

[Early 19th century. < French< débâcler "unbar" (of ice breaking on a river) < Latin bacculus "stick"]
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