Plural of adversity; difficult, hard, or unfortunate situations or circumstances.
From Latin 'adversitas' (opposition, misfortune), derived from 'adversus' (turned against, unfortunate). The plural form '-ties' creates the noun form meaning multiple instances or types of hardship or opposition.
Shakespeare loved the word 'adversity'—he used it to dramatize human struggle—because it sounds grander than 'difficulty' or 'hardship,' giving dignity to suffering and making it seem like the nobility's personal battle against fate.
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