Ac"ci*dent (&?;), n. [F. accident, fr. L. accidens, -dentis, p. pr. of accidere to happen; ad + cadere to fall. See Cadence, Case.] 1. Literally, a befalling; an event that takes place without one's foresight or expectation; an undesigned, sudden, and unexpected event; chance; contingency; often, an undesigned and unforeseen occurrence of an afflictive or unfortunate character; a casualty; a mishap; as, to die by an accident.
Of moving accidents by flood and field.
Shak.
Thou cam'st not to thy place by accident:
It is the very place God meant for thee.
Trench.
2. (Gram.) A property attached to a word, but not essential to it, as gender, number, case.