misfortune

misfortune
   obsolete
   an illegitimate child
   Literally, ill-luck, which it was at one time for the mother and child:
    ... had 'had a misfortune' — in the shape of a bouncing boy. (Bartram, 1897)
   An illegitimate child might also be called a misbegot or a mishap. In its literal sense, an accident, a mishap was also the premature delivery of a foetus, in which case the animal or woman was said to misgo:
    Tis a thousand pities her should'a miswent. {EDD)

How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. . 2014.

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  • Misfortune — is an Italian fairy tale, from Palermo, collected by Italo Calvino in his Italian Folktales.[1] Another telling of the tale appears under the title Unfortunate in A Book of Enchantments and Curses, by Ruth Manning Sanders. Synopsis A king was… …   Wikipedia

  • misfortune — misfortune, mischance, adversity, mishap are comparable when they denote bad luck or adverse fortune or an instance of this. Misfortune is both the most common and the most general term; it is applicable equally to the incident or conjunction of… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • misfortune — I noun accident, adverse event, adverse fortune, adverse lot, adverse luck, adversity, affliction, backset, bad fortune, bad luck, bale, blow, calamitas, calamity, casualty, cataclysm, catastrophe, comedown, destruction, disadvantage,… …   Law dictionary

  • Misfortune — Mis*for tune, n. Bad fortune or luck; calamity; an evil accident; disaster; mishap; mischance. [1913 Webster] Consider why the change was wrought, You ll find his misfortune, not his fault. Addison. [1913 Webster] Syn: Calamity; mishap;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • misfortune — / mishap [n] bad luck; disaster accident, adversity, affliction, annoyance, anxiety, bad break*, bad news*, blow*, burden, calamity, casuality, cataclysm, catastrophe, contretemps, cross, crunch, debacle, disadvantage, disappointment, discomfort …   New thesaurus

  • Misfortune — Mis*for tune, v. i. To happen unluckily or unfortunately; to miscarry; to fail. [Obs.] Stow. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • misfortune — (n.) mid 15c., from MIS (Cf. mis ) (1) + FORTUNE (Cf. fortune). Related: Misfortunate …   Etymology dictionary

  • misfortune — ► NOUN 1) bad luck. 2) an unfortunate event …   English terms dictionary

  • misfortune — [mis fôr′chən] n. 1. bad luck; ill fortune; trouble; adversity 2. an instance of this; unlucky accident; mishap; mischance SYN. AFFLICTION …   English World dictionary

  • misfortune — noun Date: 15th century 1. a. an event or conjunction of events that causes an unfortunate or distressing result ; bad luck < by misfortune he fell into bad company > < had the misfortune to break his leg > b. an unhappy situation < always ready… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • misfortune — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ great ▪ personal VERB + MISFORTUNE ▪ be dogged by (BrE), have, suffer ▪ The expedition was dogged by …   Collocations dictionary

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