ac·ci·dent
(
k
s
-d
nt, -d
nt
)
KEY
NOUN:
-
- An unexpected and undesirable event, especially one resulting in damage or harm:
car accidents on icy roads.
- An unforeseen incident:
A series of happy accidents led to his promotion.
- An instance of involuntary urination or defecation in one's clothing.
- Lack of intention; chance:
ran into an old friend by accident.
-
Logic
A circumstance or attribute that is not essential to the nature of something.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English,
chance event, from Old French, from Latin
accid
ns
, accident- present participle of
accidere,
to happen :
ad-,
ad- +
cadere,
to fall; see
kad- in Indo-European roots
