Cas"u*al*ty (?), n.; pl. Casualties (#). [F. casualit'e, LL. casualitas.]
1.
That which comes without design or without being foreseen; contingency.
Losses that befall them by mere casualty.
Sir W. Raleigh.
2.
Any injury of the body from accident; hence, death, or other misfortune, occasioned by an accident; as, an unhappy casualty.
3. pl. Mil. & Naval
Numerical loss caused by death, wounds, discharge, or desertion.
Casualty ward, A ward in a hospital devoted to the treatment of injuries received by accident.
Syn. -- Accident; contingency; fortuity; misfortune.
© Webster 1913.