accident, mishap

accident, mishap
An accident is an event that occurs without apparent plan. Such a chance, undesigned occurrence may be fortunate (a lucky accident that we saw each other), unfortunate (a fatal accident), or neutral (the accident of birth). A mishap is an unfortunate accident. Breaking a shoelace when in a hurry is a mishap. There is no such thing as a fortunate or neutral mishap. A disaster, catastrophe, or calamity cannot be called a mishap, a word reserved for a misadventure, mischance, or misfortune. A mishap might be referred to as a minor accident.

Dictionary of problem words and expressions. . 1975.

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  • mishap — See accident. See accident, mishap …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • accident — See accident, mishap …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • accident — ac·ci·dent n: an unexpected usu. sudden event that occurs without intent or volition although sometimes through carelessness, unawareness, ignorance, or a combination of causes and that produces an unfortunate result (as an injury) for which the… …   Law dictionary

  • accident — 1 *quality, character, attribute, property Analogous words: mark, *sign, note, badge, token, symptom: characteristic, peculiarity (see corresponding adjectives at CHARACTERISTIC) Antonyms: substance (in philosophy) 2 *chance, hazard, luck, fort …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • mishap — index accident (misfortune), adversity, casualty, catastrophe, debacle, misfortune, quirk (accident) …   Law dictionary

  • Accident — Ac ci*dent, n. [F. accident, fr. L. accidens, dentis, p. pr. of accidere to happen; ad + cadere to fall. See {Cadence}, {Case}.] 1. Literally, a befalling; an event that takes place without one s foresight or expectation; an undesigned, sudden,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Mishap — Mis*hap , n. Evil accident; ill luck; misfortune; mischance. Chaucer. [1913 Webster] Secure from worldly chances and mishaps. Shak. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • mishap — (n.) early 14c., bad luck, unlucky accident, from MIS (Cf. mis ) (1) bad + HAP (Cf. hap) luck. Probably on analogy of O.Fr. meschance (see MISCHANCE (Cf. mischance) (n.)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • mishap — 1 *misfortune, mischance, adversity 2 *accident, casualty Analogous words: *misfortune, mischance: *disaster, calamity: *chance, fortune, hap, hazard …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • mishap — ► NOUN ▪ an unlucky accident …   English terms dictionary

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