Mishap, n.
Evil accident; ill luck; misfortune; mischance. Chaucer. Secure from worldly chances and mishaps. Shak.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Mishap, v. i.
To happen unluckily; -- used impersonally. [Obs.] "If that me mishap." Chaucer.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for mishap; he lists it under accident, catastrophe, misfortune.
Where he writes about it:
A slight disturbing accident is a mishap. — from accident
Pestilence is a calamity; a defeat in battle, a shipwreck, or a failure in business is a disaster; sickness or loss of property is a misfortune; failure to meet a friend is a mischance; the breaking of a teacup is a mishap. — from catastrophe
Synonyms
accidentcatastrophemisfortuneadventureadversityafflictionbereavementblowcalamitycasualtycataclysmchancechasteningchastisementcontingencydenouementdisappointmentdisasterdistressfailurefortuityhaphappeninghardshipharmhazardillill fortuneill luckincidentmisadventuremischancemiserypossibilityreverseruinsequelsorrowstroketrialtribulationtroublevisitation