ACCIDENT


Meaning of ACCIDENT in English

/ak"si deuhnt/ , n.

1. an undesirable or unfortunate happening that occurs unintentionally and usually results in harm, injury, damage, or loss; casualty; mishap: automobile accidents.

2. Law. such a happening resulting in injury that is in no way the fault of the injured person for which compensation or indemnity is legally sought.

3. any event that happens unexpectedly, without a deliberate plan or cause.

4. chance; fortune; luck: I was there by accident.

5. a fortuitous circumstance, quality, or characteristic: an accident of birth.

6. Philos. any entity or event contingent upon the existence of something else.

7. Geol. a surface irregularity, usually on a small scale, the reason for which is not apparent.

[ 1350-1400; ME accident- (s. of accidens happening, prp. of accidere to befall), equiv. to ac- AC- + -cid-, comb. form of cad- fall + -ent- -ENT ]

Syn. 1. mischance, misfortune, misadventure; contingency; disaster.

Ant. 4. design, intent.

Random House Webster's Unabridged English dictionary.      Полный английский словарь Вебстер - Random House .