Failure, n.
Etymology: [From Fail.]
1. Cessation of supply, or total defect; a failing; deficiency; as, failure of rain; failure of crops.
2. Omission; nonperformance; as, the failure to keep a promise.
3. Want of success; the state of having failed.
4. Decau, or defect from decay; deterioration; as, the failure of memory or of sight.
2 more senses
5. A becoming insolvent; bankruptcy; suspension of payment; as, failure in business.
6. A failing; a slight fault. [Obs.] Johnson.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for failure; he lists it under misfortune, neglect.
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
Synonyms
misfortuneneglectadversityafflictionbereavementblowcalamitycarelessnesschasteningchastisementdefaultdisappointmentdisasterdisregarddisrespectdistresshardshipharmheedlessnessillill fortuneill luckinadvertenceinattentionindifferencemisadventuremischancemiserymishapneglectfulnessnegligenceomissionoversightremissnessreverseruinscornslacknessslightsorrowstrokethoughtlessnesstrialtribulationtroublevisitation