misadventure
    n 1: an instance of misfortune [syn: mishap, misadventure,
         mischance]

Misadventure \Mis`ad*ven"ture\ (?; 135), n. [OE. mesaventure, F.
   m['e]saventure.]
   Mischance; misfortune; ill luck; unlucky accident; ill
   adventure. --Chaucer.
   [1913 Webster]

   Homicide by misadventure (Law), homicide which occurs when
      a man, doing a lawful act, without any intention of
      injury, unfortunately kills another; -- called also
      excusable homicide. See Homicide. --Blackstone.
      [1913 Webster]

   Syn: Mischance; mishap; misfortune; disaster; calamity.
        [1913 Webster]

MISADVENTURE, crim. law, torts. An accident by which an injury occurs to 
another. 
     2. When applied to homicide, misadventure is the act of a man who, in 
the performance of a lawful act, without any intention to do harm, and after 
using proper precaution to prevent danger, unfortunately kills another 
person. The act upon which the death ensues, must be neither malum in se, 
nor malum prohibitum. The usual examples under this head are, 1. When the 
death ensues from innocent recreations. 2. From moderate and lawful 
correction (q.v.)  in foro domestico. 3. From acts lawful and indifferent 
in themselves, done with proper and ordinary caution. 4 Bl. Com. 182; 1 
East, P C. 221.