1. Dégel. Débâcle du fleuve.
2. (Au figuré) Effondrement.
3. (Au figuré) Déroute. Débâcle militaire.
ETYM French débâcle, from débâcler to unbar, break loose; pref. dé- (prob. = Latin dis) + bâcler to bolt, from Latin baculum a stick.
1. A sudden and violent collapse; SYN. fiasco.
2. Flooding caused by a tumultuous breakup of ice in a river during the spring or summer.
Failure that results in a loss of position or reputation.
ETYM Italian.
A complete or ridiculous failure, esp. of a musical performance, or of any pretentious undertaking.