■ noun
1》 an unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally.
2》 something that happens by chance or without apparent cause.
↘chance: we met by ~.
3》 Philosophy a property of a thing which is not essential to its nature.
Origin
ME (in the sense 'an event'): via OFr. from L. ~- , accidere , from ad- 'towards, to' + cadere 'to fall'.