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. Compare abortion ( def 1 ).
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. alsoˈmɪskær- 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

/ mĭs′kăr′ĭj /

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.

Notes

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

Related Words

• abortion
• mishap