miscarriage

[mis-kar-ij, mis-kar-ij]

noun

1. the expulsion of a fetus before it is viable, especially between the third and seventh months of pregnancy; spontaneous abortion.

2. failure to attain the just, right, or desired result.

   a miscarriage of justice.

3. failure of something sent, as a letter, to reach its destination.

4. Chiefly British.,  transportation of goods not in accordance with the contract of shipment.

miscarriage

/ mɪsˈkærɪdʒ /

noun

1. spontaneous expulsion of a fetus from the womb, esp prior to the 20th week of pregnancy

2. an act of mismanagement or failure

   a miscarriage of justice

3. the failure of freight to reach its destination

miscarriage

1. The premature, spontaneous expulsion of the products of pregnancy from the uterus, usually in the first trimester.

2. Also called spontaneous abortion

miscarriage

1. A spontaneous and premature expulsion of an embryo or fetus from the uterus before it is capable of surviving on its own.

Generally, a miscarriage is a failure to achieve a desired end, as in a miscarriage of justice.

Word History and Origins

Origin of miscarriage¹

First recorded in 1605–15; mis- ¹ + carriage

Example Sentences

She has recently lost a baby in what Michael believes was a miscarriage.

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After the experience of two miscarriages, she ignored his misgivings and had one anyway.

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But when she lost her baby due to a miscarriage, the adverts didn't stop.

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She died in February 2017, less than 24 hours after being detained in a mental health unit, after struggling to cope with the miscarriage of justice.

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She was diagnosed with a ruptured fallopian tube after suffering a miscarriage, which required surgery "within the hour".

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Related Words

• abortion 
• mishap