miscarriage

Abstract Noun: "Miscarriage" is an abstract noun because it refers to the involuntary loss of a pregnancy before the foetus can survive outside the womb. It is an intangible event — a medical and emotional experience — not a physical object.

It is countable when referring to individual occurrences: “She had two miscarriages before her first successful pregnancy.” It is also used uncountably when referring to the concept or phenomenon in general: “Miscarriage is more common than many people realise.”

From Middle English miscarien, meaning “to come to harm,” formed from mis- (wrongly) + carry. The word’s current use developed in Early Modern English.

• The spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the foetus is viable, typically before the 20th week.
• (Figurative) A failure or breakdown of a process or system (e.g., miscarriage of justice).

• She experienced a miscarriage during her second trimester.
• Doctors assured her that the miscarriage was not her fault.
• The couple mourned the miscarriage and took time to heal.
• Many fear a miscarriage of justice when trials are rushed or evidence is mishandled. (figurative)