adversity

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

adversity
    n 1: a state of misfortune or affliction; "debt-ridden farmers
         struggling with adversity"; "a life of hardship" [syn:
         {adversity}, {hardship}, {hard knocks}]
    2: a stroke of ill fortune; a calamitous event; "a period marked
       by adversities"

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Adversity \Ad*ver"si*ty\, n.; pl. {Adversities}. [OE. adversite,
   F. adversit['e], fr. L. adversitas.]
   1. Opposition; contrariety. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
      [1913 Webster]

            Adversity is not without comforts and hopes.
                                                  --Bacon.
      [1913 Webster]

   Syn: Affliction; distress; misery; disaster; trouble;
        suffering; trial.
        [1913 Webster]