mischance

plural mischances

1. countableuncountableBad luck, misfortune.

   I write gaily enough, for there is no use in bewailing such a hopeless mischance.

   1848 November – 1850 December, William Makepeace Thackeray, chapter 73, in The History of Pendennis. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1849–1850, →OCLC

   1 more example

   But let this same be presently perform'd / Even when men's minds are wild, lest more mischance / On plots and errors happen.

   c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii]

   Synonyms: mishap, misluck, adverseness, adversity, bad cess, bad luck, disadventure, hard luck

2. countableuncountableA mishap, an unlucky circumstance.

   He doth miraculously protect from thieves, incursions, sword, fire, and all violent mischances […]

   1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, →OCLC, partition II, section 3, member 3

   Synonyms: adversity, misfortune · Antonyms: fortuity

present singular third person mischances · participle present mischancing · participle past mischanced · past mischanced

1. ambitransitiveTo undergo (a misfortune); to suffer (something unfortunate).