miscarry

[ mis-kar-ee; mis-kar-ee ]

verb (used without object)

, mis·car·ried, mis·car·ry·ing.

1. to have a miscarriage of a fetus.
2. to fail to attain the right or desired end; be unsuccessful:

   The plan miscarried.

3. to go astray or be lost in transit, as a letter.

miscarry

/ mɪsˈkærɪ /

verb

1. to expel a fetus prematurely from the womb; abort
2. to fail

   all her plans miscarried

3. (of freight, mail, etc) to fail to reach a destination

Word History and Origins

Origin of miscarry¹

First recorded in 1275–1325, miscarry is from the Middle English word miscarien. See mis- ¹, carry

Example Sentences

When women miscarry in the wake of events like terrorist attacks, the lost fetuses are more likely to be male.

From Washington Post

She told me that if I decided to miscarry, there was nothing they could do about it.

From The Daily Beast

He died on the spot and his mate, who was pregnant at the time, proceeded to miscarry due to depression.

From The Daily Beast

If from any cause the new being is seriously malformed or diseased, it is a common thing for the dam to miscarry.

From Project Gutenberg

I know you have many difficulties to contend with, but I am anxious that nothing should miscarry under your orders.

From Project Gutenberg

I had laid my plans carefully the day before, and there seemed no possibility that they would miscarry.

From Project Gutenberg

Women who habitually fail to experience them, are exceedingly apt to miscarry.

From Project Gutenberg

A woman is particularly apt to miscarry with her first child, if she be either exceedingly nervous or full-blooded.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abort
• fall through