noun
catastrophe; disaster; assassination
A sudden, tragic event, often implying violence or death. Can refer to natural disasters, but also to man-made calamities such as assassinations. Somewhat literary or formal.
その凶変は国中に衝撃を与えた。
The catastrophe shocked the entire nation.
歴史書には、王の凶変が詳しく記されている。
The history book records the king's assassination in detail.
Compound of 凶 (kyō, 'bad luck, disaster') and 変 (hen, 'change, unusual event'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination conveys a sudden, disastrous turn of events.