† mischancefuladj.
Obsolete (chiefly poetic in later use).
Unlucky, unfortunate.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > adversity > calamity or misfortune > [adjective]
unseelyOE
ungraciousa1387
infortunatec1390
unhappy1390
haplessa1400
mischancefula1400
unfortunedc1403
infortuneda1413
maleurousa1460
infortunable?a1475
mal-infortunedc1475
unselc1480
mischanced1488
misadventurousa1500
unhap1509
misfortunate1510
mischancya1522
unuredc1525
maleureda1529
unlucky1530
unfortunate1548
luckless1563
unluckly1564
unfortunable1567
untoward1570
unable?1572
sinister1576
unsonsy1578
disaster1584
disastereda1586
disastrous1586
unweirdedc1590
wanhappy?1590
misbefallen1591
fortuneless1596
infelicious1598
misadventured1599
improsperous1602
untoward1632
unhandsome1640
ill-fated1715
donsie?1719
swarthy1756
infelicitous1835
bad luck1872
stiff1919
spooked1937
jinxed1972
a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (Harl.) 3924 Ȝyf þou were euer payde of myschaunceful þyng [Fr. mescheance] Þat befyl to any man.
1570 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Lekprevik) viii. 320 Curssand fortoun of his mischancefull [1488 MS myschansit] cace.
1688 W. Canning Gesta Grayorum 22 This mischanceful Accident..was a great Discouragement.
1840 E. S. Wortley Eva ii. i. 27 'Tis nought mischanceful that concerns myself, No evil tidings of a private nature!
1872 J. S. Blackie Lays of Highlands 202 Where wert thou when Sire Adam first Drew his mischanceful breath?
1875 R. Browning Aristophanes' Apol. 305 Woe—woe! What man was born mischanceful thus!
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2002; most recently modified version published online March 2019).
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adj.a1400