incidence

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the striking of a light beam on a surface

   I measured the angle of incidence of the reflected light to calculate the time.

2. 2
   noun

   the relative frequency of occurrence of something

3. 3
   noun

   The act of something happening; occurrence.

4. 4
   noun

   The extent or the relative frequency of something happening.

5. 5
   noun

   The manner of falling; bearing or onus, as of a tax that falls unequally.

6. 6
   noun

   The striking of radiation or a projectile upon a surface.

7. 7
   noun

   A measure of the rate of new occurrence of a given medical condition in a population within a specified period of time.

8. 8
   noun

   The falling of a point on a line, or a line on a plane.

Etymology

From Middle French incidence, from Medieval Latin incidentia (“a falling upon”), from Latin incidens, present participle of incidere (“to fall upon”), from in (“on”) + cadere (“to fall”).