adˈvərsəd.ē, ədˈv-, -ə̄s-, -əis-, -sətē, -i noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English adversite (also, opposition), from Old French adversité, aversité, from Late Latin adversitat-, adversitas, from Latin, opposition, from adversus + -itat-, -itas -ity
1. : a state of adverse fortune : a condition of suffering, destitution, or affliction often implying previous prosperity or well-being
what fairy palaces we may build of beautiful thought — proof against all adversity — John Ruskin
showed unexpected courage in adversity
2. : a stroke of ill fortune : a calamitous or disastrous experience — usually used in plural
a period marked by adversities and misfortunes