accidence

American  

[ak-si-duhns] / ˈæk sɪ dəns /

noun

1. the rudiments or essentials of a subject.

2. Grammar.

   1. the study of inflection as a grammatical device.

   2. the inflections so studied.

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accidence British  

/ ˈæksɪdəns /

noun

1. inflectional morphology; the part of grammar concerned with changes in the form of words by internal modification or by affixation, for the expression of tense, person, case, number, etc

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Etymology

Origin of accidence

1500–1510; < Latin accidentia, neuter plural of accidēns (present participle of accidere to fall, befall). See accident

Example Sentences

It was Belgian's worst rail accidence since 2001 when eight people were killed and 12 were injured in a head-on collision between commuter trains outside Brussels.

From BBC • Feb. 15, 2010

Under regulations drawn up in 1570 by the school's patron, Sir Nicholas Bacon, enrollment was limited to 12 underprivileged boys who had "learned their accidence without books and can wright indifferently."

From Time Magazine Archive

They learn deep lessons almost unconsciously; to conquer their desires, to make light of toil and pain and discomfort; the true humanist is well aware that Spartan discipline is incomparably superior to Greek accidence.

From Preaching and Paganism by Fitch, Albert Parker

Revised Examples in syntax, accidence and style, for criticism and correction.

From A Handbook for Latin Clubs by Paxson, Susan

Tell him I hope to hear a good account of his accidence and nomenclature when I return.

From Familiar Letters of John Adams and His Wife Abigail Adams During the Revolution with a Memoir of Mrs. Adams by Adams, Abigail

Related Words

• alphabet
• syntax