Casualty


Military.

a member of the armed forces lost to service through death, wounds, sickness, capture, or because his or her whereabouts or condition cannot be determined.
casualties, loss in numerical strength through any cause, as death, wounds, sickness, capture, or desertion.

one who is injured or killed in an accident:
There were no casualties in the traffic accident.
any person, group, thing, etc., that is harmed or destroyed as a result of some act or event:
Their house was a casualty of the fire.
a serious accident, especially one involving bodily injury or death.
Contemporary Examples

Saul is out—a casualty of Lockhart’s new regime—but he’ll almost certainly get roped back in.
‘Homeland’ Finale Shocker: A Death in the Family Andrew Romano December 15, 2013

But Berner runs away instead, and will live in that wreckage always, a casualty, a victim.
Richard Ford’s “Canada” Is His Best Novel In Years Michael Gorra May 16, 2012

And now officials there seemed to be lowballing the casualty numbers.
U.S. Drone Program Needs to Be Accompanied by Hard Facts on Civilian Deaths Daniel Klaidman November 7, 2013

The ad is a distortion based on blatantly spliced quotes—and as you might expect, facts are the first casualty.
The Obama Scandals Are Desperate Measures by the GOP Robert Shrum May 16, 2013

The second casualty of the indictment and trial of Olmert is the Kadima party.
Ehud Olmert’s Sentencing Won’t Be a Day of Reckoning for Israel’s Leaders Alon Ben-Meir May 14, 2014

Historical Examples

Several of us had narrow escapes, but the only casualty we suffered was Cornelius Coyle.
From the Rapidan to Richmond and the Spottsylvania Campaign William Meade Dame

Their barke receiues seldome or neuer by casualty any wound.
A New Orchard And Garden William Lawson

The attack was severe, but the defense was equal to it and the net results were summed up in the casualty lists on both sides.
The Story of the Great War, Volume II (of VIII) Various

The first of our casualty lists had been published, and they were terrible.
The Drama Of Three Hundred & Sixty-Five Days Hall Caine

In the reaction of relief from casualty, resourcefulness now might plead for him.
Ainslee’s magazine, Volume 16, No. 3, October, 1905 Various

noun (pl) -ties
a serviceman who is killed, wounded, captured, or missing as a result of enemy action
a person who is injured or killed in an accident
a hospital department in which victims of accidents, violence, etc, are treated
anything that is lost, damaged, or destroyed as the result of an accident, etc
n.

early 15c., “chance, accident; incidental charge,” from casual (adj.) on model of royalty, penalty, etc. Casuality had some currency 16c.-17c. but is now obsolete. Meaning “losses in numbers from a military or other troop” is from late 15c. Meaning “an individual killed, wounded, or lost in battle” is from 1844.

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