Definition of "casualty" in English

noun

1. Something that happens by chance, especially an unfortunate event; an accident, a disaster.

   • 1756, Samuel Johnson, “The Life of Sir Thomas Browne” in Thomas Browne, Christian Morals, 2nd edition, London: J. Payne, p. xx, The course of his education was like that of others, such as put him little in the way of extraordinary casualties.

2. A person suffering from injuries or who has been killed due to an accident or through an act of violence.

3. (proscribed) Specifically, a person who has been killed (not only injured) due to an accident or through an act of violence; a fatality.

4. (military) A person in military service who becomes unavailable for duty, for any reason (notably death, injury, illness, capture, or desertion).

5. (British) Clipping of casualty department: the accident and emergency department of a hospital providing immediate treatment.

6. An incidental charge or payment.

7. Someone or something adversely affected by a decision, event or situation.

8. (obsolete) Chance nature; randomness.

   • The non-necessary [causes] follow; of which, saith Fuchsius, no art can be made, by reason of their uncertainty, casualty, and multitude […]