Adversity

[Fr. adversité, from Lat. adversitas.] The state of unhappine ; misery; calamity; opposed to prosperity. "Sweet are the uses of adversity, Which like the toad, ugly and venomous, Wears yet a precious jewel in his head."-Shak. -The cause of our sorrow; affliction; misfortune. - In this sense it may have a plural. "Let me embrace these sour adversities, For wise men say, it is the wiser course."-Shak.