from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Casualty \Cas"u*al*ty\, n.; pl. {Casualties}. [F. casualit['e],
LL. casualitas.]
1. That which comes without design or without being foreseen;
contingency.
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Losses that befall them by mere casualty. --Sir W.
Raleigh.
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2. Any injury of the body from accident; hence, death, or
other misfortune, occasioned by an accident; as, an
unhappy casualty.
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3. pl. (Mil. & Naval) Numerical loss caused by death, wounds,
discharge, or desertion.
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{Casualty ward}, A ward in a hospital devoted to the
treatment of injuries received by accident.
Syn: Accident; contingency; fortuity; misfortune.
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