I. ˌak-sə-ˈden-t ə l adjective
Date: 14th century
1. : arising from extrinsic causes : incidental , nonessential
2.
a. : occurring unexpectedly or by chance
b. : happening without intent or through carelessness and often with unfortunate results
• ac·ci·den·tal·ly -ˈdent-lē, -ˈden-t ə l-ē also ac·ci·dent·ly -ˈdent-lē adverb
• ac·ci·den·tal·ness -ˈden-t ə l-nəs noun
Synonyms:
accidental , fortuitous , casual , contingent mean not amenable to planning or prediction. accidental stresses chance
any resemblance to actual persons is entirely accidental
fortuitous so strongly suggests chance that it often connotes entire absence of cause
a series of fortuitous events
casual stresses lack of real or apparent premeditation or intent
a casual encounter with a stranger
contingent suggests possibility of happening but stresses uncertainty and dependence on other future events for existence or occurrence
the contingent effects of the proposed law
II. noun
Date: 1651
1. : a nonessential property
2.
a. : a note foreign to a key indicated by a signature
b. : a prefixed sign indicating an accidental