Final answer:
The word 'disaster' derives from the Greek word 'dis-' meaning 'the absence of' and 'aster' meaning 'star', making it synonymous with 'ill-starred' or 'unfortunate'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word 'disaster' derives from the Greek word 'dis-' meaning 'the absence of' and 'aster' meaning 'star'. Therefore, the etymology of the word 'disaster' is 'ill-starred' or 'unfortunate'. This suggests that a disaster is an event or situation that is marked by the absence of good fortune or a negative outcome.