Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Incident?

\In"ci*dent\, a. [L. incidens, -entis, p. pr. & of incidere to fall into or upon; pref. in- in, on + cadere to fall: cf. F. incident. See {Cadence}.] 1. Falling or striking upon, as a ray of light upon a reflecting surface. 2. Coming or happening accidentally; not in the usual course of things; not in connection with the main design; not according to expectation; casual; fortuitous. 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. --Hooker. 3. Liable to happen; apt to occur; befalling; hence, naturally happening or appertaining. All chances incident to man's frail life. --Milton. The studies incident to his profession. --Milward. 4. (Law) Dependent upon, or appertaining to, another thing, called the principal. {Incident proposition} (Logic), a proposition subordinate to another, and introduced by who, which, whose, whom, etc.; as, Julius, whose surname was C[ae]sar, overcame Pompey. --I. Watts.
\In"ci*dent\, n. [Cf. F. incident.] 1. That which falls out or takes place; an event; casualty; occurrence. 2. That which happens aside from the main design; an accidental or subordinate action or event. No person, no incident, in a play but must be of use to carry on the main design. --Dryden. 3. (Law) Something appertaining to, passing with, or depending on, another, called the principal. --Tomlins. Syn: Circumstance; event; fact; adventure; contingency; chance; accident; casualty. See {Event}.