fallout

fallout

n.
  1. the radioactive particles that settle to the ground after a nuclear explosion.
  2. the falling to the ground of radioactive particles lifted into the atmosphere by a nuclear explosion.
  3. an incidental or unexpected effect, especially one which is undesirable, consequent to an event or process; ; -- usually used only in the singular; as, the fallout from the disclosure of the Lewinsky tapes made trouble for the President for months after the event; fallout from the stock market crash caused property prices to decline in the New York area.
  4. one selected from a group by some criterion. (Med.) [cant]
    Corrective action was taken in 97 of the 418 fallouts from 3,787 patients at risk.
    — fallouts
  5. one who fails to maintain the same pace as and lags behind a group of which s/he is a member. [cant]
    The executive officer's group noted all fallouts by name and policed them into a group to complete the run at a slower pace.
    — fallouts