Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1400-1500
Language: Anglo-French
Origin: Old French havot 'destruction, disorder'

havoc

 noun
     
hav‧oc [uncountable]
a situation in which there is a lot of damage or a lack of order, especially so that it is difficult for something to continue in the normal way
cause/create havoc
A strike will cause havoc for commuters.
policies that would wreak havoc on the country's economy
Rain has continued to play havoc with sporting events.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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