incident

Etymology

Recorded since 1412, from Middle French incident, from Latin incidens, the present active participle of incidō (“to happen, befall”), itself from in- (“on”) + -cidō, the combining form of cadō (“to fall”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɪn.sɪ.dənt/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

incident (plural incidents)

1. An event or occurrence.
2. A (relatively minor) event that is incidental to, or related to others
3. An event that may cause or causes an interruption or a crisis
4. In safety, an incident of workplace illness or injury

Adjective

incident (not comparable)

1. Arising as the result of an event, inherent.
2. (physics, of a stream of particles or radiation) Falling on or striking a surface.

   The incident light illuminated the surface.

3. Coming or happening accidentally; not in the usual course of things; not in connection with the main design; not according to expectation; casual; fortuitous.
   • Hooker

     As the ordinary course of common affairs is disposed of by general laws, so likewise men's rarer incident necessities and utilities should be with special equity considered.

4. Liable to happen; apt to occur; befalling; hence, naturally happening or appertaining.
   • Milton

     all chances incident to man's frail life

   • Milward

     the studies incident to his profession

   • 1816, Richard Lawrence, The complete farrier, and British sportsman (page 245)

     The Vives, like the strangles, is most incident to young horses, and usually proceeds from the same causes, such as catching cold, being over-heated, or over-worked, about the time of shedding their teeth.

5. (law) Dependent upon, or appertaining to, another thing, called the principal.

Noun

incident m (plural incidents)

1. incident

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɛ̃.si.dɑ̃/

• Audio

  (file)

Adjective

incident (feminine singular incidente, masculine plural incidents, feminine plural incidentes)

1. incidental
2. (physics) incident

Noun

incident m (plural incidents)

1. incident

Etymology 1

Form of the verb incidō (“I fall upon”).

Etymology 2

Form of the verb incīdō (“I cut or hew open”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /intsǐdent/
• Hyphenation: in‧ci‧dent

Noun

incìdent m (Cyrillic spelling инцѝдент)

1. incident