calamity

Noun

calamity (plural calamities)

1. An event resulting in great loss.
   • Romeo come forth / Come forth thou fearfull man, / Affliction is enamor’d of thy parts: / And thou art wedded to calamitie.c. 1591–1595 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Romeo and Ivliet”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and...
   • Yet, at that moment, she felt as if the acquisition of these gems were a calamity. Their possession involved separation from her uncle, from every relic of home affections, and from all that yet lingered with her of her childhood.1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “Age and Youth”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 15
2. The distress that results from some disaster.
   • They were behind twice, first in the 11th minute when James Morrison scored a goal that was a personal calamity for Hart, and then four minutes into the second half when Kenny Miller eluded Gary Cahill to score with a splendid left-foot drive.2013 August 14, Daniel Taylor, “Rickie Lambert's debut goal gives England victory over Scotland”, in The Guardian