accident

The definition of an accident is an event that happens without being planned.

(noun)

  1. An example of an accident is a collision between two cars.
  2. An example of an accident is when you bump into a friend unexpectedly at the park or when you find a $20 bill lying on the sidewalk.

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See accident in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. a happening that is not expected, foreseen, or intended
  2. an unpleasant and unintended happening, sometimes resulting from negligence, that results in injury, loss, damage, etc.
  3. fortune; chance: to meet by accident
  4. an attribute or quality that is not essential
  5. Geog., Geol. an irregular formation
  6. Law an unforeseen event that occurs without anyone's fault or negligence

Origin: ME < OFr < L accidens, prp. of accidere, to fall upon, happen < ad-, to + cadere, to fall: see case

See accident in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. a. An unexpected and undesirable event, especially one resulting in damage or harm: car accidents on icy roads.
    b. An unforeseen incident: A series of happy accidents led to his promotion.
    c. An instance of involuntary urination or defecation in one's clothing.
  2. Lack of intention; chance: ran into an old friend by accident.
  3. Logic A circumstance or attribute that is not essential to the nature of something.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English, chance event

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin accidēns, accident-

Origin: , present participle of accidere, to happen

Origin: : ad-, ad-

Origin: + cadere, to fall; see kad- in Indo-European roots

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