incident

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   An event or occurrence, especially an unusual or unpleasant one.

   She could not remember exactly when the incident happened.

2. 2
   noun

   A disturbance or violent event that needs official attention.

   The police investigated an incident at the bus station.

Recorded since 1412, from Middle French incident, from Latin incidens, the present active participle of incidō (“to happen, befall”), itself from in- (“on”) + -cidō, the combining form of cadō (“to fall”).

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