incident

Meaning

Noun

1. An event or occurrence.
2. A (relatively minor) event that is incidental to, or related to others.
3. An event that causes or may cause an interruption or a crisis, such as a workplace illness or a software error.

Adj

1. Arising as the result of an event, inherent.
2. Falling on or striking a 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.
4. Liable to happen; apt to occur; befalling; hence, naturally happening or appertaining.
5. Dependent upon, or appertaining to, another thing, called the principal.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɪn.sɪ.dənt/

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”).