a. [f. CHAOS, app. on the analogy of other Greek-derived words in -otic, as demotic, erotic, hypnotic, where the ending has various origins. (Such a formation would have been normal from the derived Gr. vb. χαό-ειν, in passive, to be reduced to chaos; cf. βιωτικός f. βιό-ειν). In mod.F. chaotique.]
1. Of or pertaining to the primordial chaos; in the state of chaos.
1713. Derham, Phys.-Theol., III. ii. (ed. 3), 67 (R.). At that time (whatever it was) when the Terraqueous Globe was in a Chaotick State.
1774. J. Bryant, Mythol., II. 259. Janus is by him supposed to be the chaotic deity.
1794. R. J. Sulivan, View Nat., I. 87. During the separation of the atmosphere and the ocean from the chaotic mass.
1878. Tait & Stewart, Unseen Univ., ii. § 85. 95. That the present solar system gradually condensed into its present state from a chaotic mass of nebulous material.
2. transf. and fig. Resembling chaos; utterly confused or disordered.
1747. Johnson, Plan Eng. Dict., Wks. IX. 191. Translators, who have formed a chaotic dialect of heterogeneous phrases.
1756. Burke, Vind. Nat. Soc., Wks. I. 61. In these early and unrefined ages, the jarring parts of a certain chaotick constitution supported their several pretensions by the sword.
1837. Macaulay, Bacon, Ess. (1854), I. 349. Opinions were still in a state of chaotic anarchy.
1875. Poste, Gaius, I. 81. The rules … are at first sight chaotic and bewildering.
