accident

UK: ˈæksɪdənt | US: ˈæksɪdənt

Definition

  1. n. an unexpected and undesirable event, often harmful

  2. n. an unplanned event that happens by chance

  3. n. (philosophy) a non-essential property or circumstance

Structure
ac <to, toward>cid <fall>ent <noun suffix>
Etymology

accident = ac<to, toward> + cid<fall> + ent<noun suffix>

  • ac (from Latin ad-, meaning "to, toward")
  • cid (from Latin cadere, meaning "to fall")
  • ent (Latin noun suffix indicating state or action)

Etymology Origin:
The word accident originates from Latin accidens (stem accident-), meaning "a happening" or "chance event." It combines ad- (toward) + cadere (to fall), metaphorically suggesting "something that befalls" or "occurs unexpectedly." Over time, it evolved in Middle English to emphasize unpredictability and lack of intention, retaining its core idea of an unplanned event.

Examples

  1. She broke her arm in a car accident.

  2. The discovery of penicillin was a happy accident.

  3. The delay was caused by an accident on the railway.

  4. In philosophy, "color" is considered an accident of an object.

  5. He claimed the mistake was purely an accident.