\In"ci*dent\, a. [L. incidens, -entis, p. pr. & of
incidere to fall into or upon; pref. in- in, on + cadere to
fall: cf. F. incident. See {Cadence}.]
1. Falling or striking upon, as a ray of light upon a
   reflecting surface.
2. Coming or happening accidentally; not in the usual course
   of things; not in connection with the main design; not
   according to expectation; casual; fortuitous.
         As the ordinary course of common affairs is disposed
         of by general laws, so likewise men's rarer incident
         necessities and utilities should be with special
         equity considered.                    --Hooker.
3. Liable to happen; apt to occur; befalling; hence,
   naturally happening or appertaining.
         All chances incident to man's frail life. --Milton.
         The studies incident to his profession. --Milward.
4. (Law) Dependent upon, or appertaining to, another thing,
   called the principal.
{Incident proposition} (Logic), a proposition subordinate to
   another, and introduced by who, which, whose, whom, etc.;
   as, Julius, whose surname was C[ae]sar, overcame Pompey.
   --I. Watts.

\In"ci*dent\, n. [Cf. F. incident.]
1. That which falls out or takes place; an event; casualty;
   occurrence.
2. That which happens aside from the main design; an
   accidental or subordinate action or event.
         No person, no incident, in a play but must be of use
         to carry on the main design.          --Dryden.
3. (Law) Something appertaining to, passing with, or
   depending on, another, called the principal. --Tomlins.
Syn: Circumstance; event; fact; adventure; contingency;
     chance; accident; casualty. See {Event}.