catastrophe (kə-tăs'trə-fē)

1. A great, often sudden calamity.
2. A complete failure; a fiasco: The food was cold, the guests quarreled—the whole dinner was a catastrophe.
3. The concluding action of a drama, especially a classical tragedy, following the climax and containing a resolution of the plot.

distribute (dĭ-strĭb'yūt)

1. To divide and dispense in portions.
2. 1. To supply (goods) to retailers.
   2. To deliver or pass out: distributing handbills on the street.
3. 1. To spread or diffuse over an area; scatter: distribute grass seed over the lawn.
   2. To apportion so as to be evenly spread throughout a given area: 180 pounds of muscle that were well distributed over his 6-foot frame.

criticism (krĭt'ĭ-sĭz'əm)

1. The act of criticizing, especially adversely.
2. A critical comment or judgment.
3. 1. The practice of analyzing, classifying, interpreting, or evaluating literary or other artistic works.
   2. A critical article or essay; a critique.
   3. The investigation of the origin and history of literary documents; textual criticism.

hideous (hĭd'ē-əs)

1. Repulsive, especially to the sight; revoltingly ugly. See synonyms at ugly.
2. Offensive to moral sensibilities; despicable.

tariff (tăr'ĭf)

1. 1. A list or system of duties imposed by a government on imported or exported goods.
   2. A duty or duties so imposed.
2. A schedule of prices or fees.

definition (dĕf'ə-nĭsh'ən)

1. 1. A statement conveying fundamental character.
   2. A statement of the meaning of a word, phrase, or term, as in a dictionary entry.
2. The act or process of stating a precise meaning or significance; formulation of a meaning.

protection (prə-tĕk'shən)

1. 1. The act of protecting.
   2. The condition of being protected.
2. One that protects.
3. A pass guaranteeing safe-conduct to travelers.

stable (stā'bəl)

1. 1. Resistant to change of position or condition; not easily moved or disturbed: a house built on stable ground; a stable platform.
   2. Not subject to sudden or extreme change or fluctuation: a stable economy; a stable currency.
   3. Maintaining equilibrium; self-restoring: a stable aircraft.
2. Enduring or permanent: a stable peace.

victorious (vĭk-tôr'ē-əs)

1. Being the winner in a contest or struggle: the victorious army.
2. Characteristic of or expressing a sense of victory or fulfillment: a victorious cheer.

stability (stə-bĭl'ĭ-tē)

1. The state or quality of being stable, especially:
   1. Resistance to change, deterioration, or displacement.
   2. Constancy of character or purpose; steadfastness.
   3. Reliability; dependability.
2. The ability of an object, such as a ship or aircraft, to maintain equilibrium or resume its original, upright position after displacement, as by the sea or strong winds.