adversity|ædˈvɜːsɪtɪ|Forms: 4–6 adversite(e, adversyte(e; 4–7 adversitie; 7– adversity.[a. MFr. adversité,refash.f.OFr.aversite:—L. adversitāt-em opposition, contrariety,f.adversus: see adverse and -ity.]†1.The state or condition of being contrary or opposed; opposition, contrariety. Obs.1382WyclifPs.iii. 8For thou hast smyte all doende adversite[1388 beynge adversaries]to me with oute cause.
a1420HoccleveDeReg.Princ.390,I was agast fulle sore of the, Leste thow thurghe thoughtfulle adversitee Not hadest stonden in the feithe aright.
c1450LonelichGrail xviii. 174One bone, sire kyng, þat thow graunte me Withowten lettynge owthir adversite.
2.The condition of adverse fortune; a state opposed to well-being or prosperity; misfortune, distress, trial, or affliction. (The earliest sense inEng.)c1230Ancren Riwle 194Þe uttre uondunge is mislicunge in aduersite.
1340Ayenb. 27Kuead of aventure, ase povertie oþer adversitie.
1483CaxtonGold.Leg.399/4Thenne late us praye..that he so gouerne us bytwene welth & aduersyte in this present lyf.
1535CoverdaleProv.xvii. 17In aduersite a man shall know who is his brother[1611 A brother is borne for aduersitie].
1570–87HolinshedScot.Chron.(1806) I. 81Adversitie findeth few friends.
1592Shakes.Rom.& Jul. iii. iii. 55Aduersities sweete milke, Philosophie.
1600―A.Y.L. ii. i. 12Sweet are the vses of aduersitie.
1750JohnsonRamblerNo.150 ⁋5He that never was acquainted with adversity has seen the world but on one side.
1771JuniusLett.xlix. 254A virtuous man, struggling with adversity,[is]a scene worthy of the gods.
a1852D. WebsterWks.1877, III. 341The discipline of our virtues in the severe school of adversity.
3.An adverse circumstance; a misfortune, calamity, trial.1340Ayenb. 84Þe kueades and þe aduersetes of þe wordle.
c1386ChaucerClerk's T. 551Noon accident for noon aduersitee Was seyn in hire.
1483CaxtonCato b ij. b,Strengthe for to resiste ageynst all aduersytees.
1526TindaleActs vii. 10And God was with him, and delivered hym out off all his adversities.
1651HobbesLeviathan ii. xxxi 188The Prosperities and Adversities of this life.
1842LongfellowSp.Stud.ii. i. 1Pray, tell me more of your adversities.
†4.Contrariness of nature; perversity. (InShak.=perverse one, quibbler.) Obs.1489CaxtonFaytes of Armes iii. ix. 186The felawes muste be chaunged by som aduersyte that is in them.
1606Shakes.Tr. & Cr. v. i. 14,P. Who keepes the Tent now? T. The Surgeons box, or the Patients wound. P. Well said aduersity.
