Misadventure, n.
Etymology: [OE. mesaventure, F. mésaventure.]
Mischance; misfortune; ill lick; unlucky accident; ill adventure. Chaucer. Homicide by misadventure (Law), homicide which occurs when a man, doing a lawful act, without any intention of injury, unfortunately kills another; -- called also excusable homicide. See Homicide. Blackstone.
Syn. -- Mischance; mishap; misfortune; disaster; calamity.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for misadventure; he lists it under accident, misfortune.
Where he writes about it:
An adventure is that which may turn out ill, a misadventure that which does turn out ill. — from accident
Synonyms
accidentmisfortuneadventureadversityafflictionbereavementblowcalamitycasualtychancechasteningchastisementcontingencydisappointmentdisasterdistressfailurefortuityhaphappeninghardshipharmhazardillill fortuneill luckincidentmischancemiserymishappossibilityreverseruinsorrowstroketrialtribulationtroublevisitation