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 Cæsar, 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.
