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failure |
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failure [′fāl·yər] (engineering) A permanent change in the volume of a powder or the stresses within it. (mechanics) Condition caused by collapse, break, or bending, so that a structure or structural element can no longer fulfill its purpose. Failure Army Bomb Plot attempted assassination of Hitler; his miraculous escape brought dreadful retaliation (1944). [Ger. Hist.: Van Doren, 500] comic strip character for whom losing is a way of life. [Comics: “Peanuts” in Horn, 542–543] financially disastrous cross-country marathon. [Am. Hist.: Sann, 48–56] broken-spirited man occupying subordinate position. [Br. Lit.: Dombey and Son] much bruited automobile fails on market (1950s). [Am. Hist.: Flexner, 78] contentious and unloved salesman; commits suicide in despair. [Am. Lit.: Appointment in Samarra] attempt to blow up the Parliament building; led to the execution of its leader, Guy Fawkes (1605). [Brit. Hist.: EB, IV: 70–71]
much-loved, much-imitated hapless, “I’m a failure” persona. [Am. Cinema: Griffith, 79] traveling salesman who gradually comes to realize that his life has been a complete failure; commits suicide. [Am. Lit.: The Death of a Salesman, Payton, 397] ignominiously strikes out in the clutch. [Am. Lit.: “Casey at the Bat” in Turkin, 642] very promising writer who, after unsuccessful publication, returns to clerical job. [Br. Lit.: New Grub Street, Magill I, 647–649] district of down-and-outs and bums. [Am. Usage: Brewer Dictionary, 1008] President Ford’s scheme to reduce inflation: for the American public to wear shields stating “WIN.” (Whip Inflation Now). [Am. Hist.: Misc.] “ingenious” creation of a third professional league that never materialized. [Am. Sports: Misc.] steamship stoker vainly tries to climb the social ladder, then fails in attempt to avenge himself on society. [Am. Drama: O’Neill The Hairy Ape in Sobel, 339]
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| The cohort was reevaluated 4 months later, at which time 3 patients with respiratory failure had died, 2 remained intubated, 25 showed varying degrees of improvement, and 2 were lost to follow-up. FOOTBALL: Hunter Kelly, whose battle with Krabbe disease, a fatal nervous-system ailment, inspired his Hall of Fame father Jim Kelly's charitable works, died of respiratory failure in Buffalo, N. 7 of respiratory failure in Washington, DC at the age of 88. |
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