Adversity, n.; pl. Adversities(#).
Etymology: [OE. adversite, F. adversité, fr. L. adversitas.]
1. Opposition; contrariety. [Obs.] Wyclif. Adversity is not without comforts and hopes. Bacon.
Syn. -- Affliction; distress; misery; disaster; trouble; suffering; trial.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for adversity; he lists it under misfortune.
Where he writes about it:
Any considerable disappointment, failure, or misfortune, as regards outward circumstances, as loss of fortune, position, and the like, when long continued or attended with enduring consequences, constitutes adversity. — from misfortune