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casualty

noun

/ˈkæʒ u əl ti/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of casualty

A person who has been injured, killed, or affected as a result of an accident, disaster, conflict, or other unfortunate event.
"The earthquake resulted in a high number of casualties and widespread devastation."

Detailed meaning of casualty

It can encompass individuals who suffer physical harm, such as injuries or fatalities, in incidents like car accidents, natural disasters, or acts of violence. Additionally, the term casualty can also extend to those who experience non-physical consequences, such as emotional trauma or psychological distress. In a broader context, casualty can refer to any negative outcome or loss incurred by an individual or group, including financial, social, or reputational damage. The term is commonly used in various domains, including military operations, healthcare, emergency response, and insurance, to assess and account for the human toll and impact of an event.

Example sentences containing casualty

1. A single casualty lay amidst the wreckage, silent and still in the chaos.
2. After the quake, rescuers found a casualty, buried but alive, in the rubble.
3. In the accident's aftermath, a casualty's cry for help echoed eerily.
4. War’s cruel nature claimed another casualty, marking a loss we all felt.
5. Amidst the fiery crash, one casualty was pulled out, barely breathing.
6. The explosion left debris, smoke, and a casualty struggling to survive.

History and etymology of casualty

The noun 'casualty' has its origins in the Latin language. It is derived from the Latin word 'casualis,' which means 'by chance' or 'accidental.' In its earliest usage, 'casualty' referred to something that happened by chance or accident, often in the context of unexpected events or incidents. Over time, the term evolved to describe a person who has been injured, killed, or affected as a result of an accident, disaster, conflict, or other unfortunate event. The etymology of 'casualty' underscores the element of chance or unpredictability inherent in such events, highlighting the sense of unexpectedness and the often tragic outcomes that can be associated with them.

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Further usage examples of casualty

1. A casualty of the storm, she lost everything, yet her spirit endured.
2. The flood’s wrath spared none, claiming a silent casualty in its wake.
3. Amidst disaster’s ruins, a casualty was discovered, life barely clinging.
4. The battlefield, harsh and unforgiving, witnessed another silent casualty.
5. A life, transformed into a casualty, marked the conflict’s profound cost.
6. The rescue team, amidst chaos, focused on a casualty, silent and still.
7. In the disaster’s aftermath, a casualty's silent scream echoed within us.
8. War, unyielding, claimed a soul, turning a soldier into a casualty.
9. One casualty lay under the starry sky, testament to the disaster’s wrath.
10. Amidst the catastrophe’s chaos, a casualty’s stillness spoke volumes.
11. As dawn broke, the scene unveiled a solitary casualty amidst the ruins.
12. In war’s cruel dance, a soldier transformed into another silent casualty.
13. The accident, swift and brutal, left a casualty amidst the eerie silence.
14. A casualty, marked by conflict, lay silent, echoing the cost of war.
15. A casualty, amidst the flames, painted a haunting image of disaster's toll.
16. In the accident's eerie silence, a casualty’s whispers of life flickered.
17. Amidst conflict’s chaos, a casualty’s silent plea echoed unsung heroism.
18. A casualty in the storm’s heart brought silent tears amidst raging winds.
19. In the battle’s harsh theatre, a casualty lay, echoing unsung valor.
20. Post-explosion, amidst the smoke, a casualty's silent form was outlined.
21. The hurricane left a city in ruins and a casualty, silent in despair.
22. A casualty, a soul marked by war, lay beneath the silent, starry expanse.
23. Amidst chaos, a casualty’s whisper of life contrasted stark, silent death.
24. The silent aftermath of the quake revealed a casualty, voiceless and still.