The spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the fetus can survive outside the womb. It can also refer to the failure or unsuccessful outcome of any plan or undertaking.
From 'mis-' (wrongly) plus 'carriage' (the act of carrying). Originally used broadly for any failed undertaking, the medical meaning of pregnancy loss became prominent in the 16th century.
The word 'miscarriage' reveals how language can be both clinical and metaphorical - 'carriage' originally meant any act of carrying, so a miscarriage was literally a 'wrong carrying' of anything, not just pregnancy.
Historically treated as women's personal failure rather than medical event; language often blamed women rather than acknowledging physiological complexity or external factors.
Use clinical framing: 'pregnancy loss' or 'miscarriage' as neutral medical term; acknowledge it affects people across gender spectrum and requires compassionate medical support, not blame.
["pregnancy loss","spontaneous abortion (medical)","fetal loss"]
Women's voices in miscarriage support movements have reframed this from shame to solidarity; recognize activists who destigmatized discussing pregnancy loss.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.