adversity

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a state of misfortune or affliction

   debt-ridden farmers struggling with adversity

2. 2
   noun

   The state of adverse conditions; state of misfortune or calamity.

   The doctor loved the squire, loved him as his oldest friend; but he loved him ten times better as being in adversity than he could ever have done had things gone well at Greshansbury in his time.

3. 3
   noun

   An event that is adverse; calamity.

   Having “secret notice,” the writer of “True Remembrances” declares of the above complains, he retired into Munster, intending to proceed to England, to justify himself; but was detained there for want of money by the breaking out of rebellion. This adversity befell him in the autumn of 1598.

4. 4
   noun

   a stroke of ill fortune

Etymology

From Old French adversité, from Latin adversitātem, the accusative singular of adversitās, from adversus, the perfect passive participle of advertō (“to turn toward”).