mischance

[ mis-chans, -chahns ]

noun

1. a mishap or misfortune.

mischance

/ mɪsˈtʃɑːns /

noun

1. bad luck
2. a stroke of bad luck

Word History and Origins

Origin of mischance¹

1250–1300; mis- ¹ + chance; replacing Middle English mescheance < Old French

Example Sentences

In Geoffrey Chaucer's famous Canterbury Tales, written in the 14th Century, he said: "And on a Friday fell all this mischance".

From BBC

Like Paul Stover, many have simply decided not to decide for now, hoping that some combination of age, legal drama or mischance might avert a rematch they dread.

From Los Angeles Times

I have seen insurance extended in every direction … and I fail to understand why the depositors in a bank, persons who have no opportunity to know, who have in fact no knowledge about the interior affairs of the bank … should not be insured against mischance that they cannot guard against and prevent.

From Slate

His encounter with Mr. Abdullah on Sunday appeared to be a dark mischance; Mr. Enriquez had avoided the train for nearly two years, Mr. Pollack said, first because of the pandemic and remote work, and more recently because of concerns over the safety of the subway system.

From New York Times

She felt all the perverseness of the mischance that should bring him where no one else was brought, and, to prevent its ever happening again, took care to inform him at first that it was a favourite haunt of hers.

From Literature