Middle English Dictionary Entry
accidence n.
Entry Info
| Forms | accidence n. |
| Etymology | OF, & L accidentia |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Phil. A non-essential or incidental characteristic, a temporary and variable property of a thing; bi ~, through a secondary means, indirectly; of ~, without affecting or involving the essential nature of a thing, incidentally; (b) med. something out of the normal course of nature; bi ~, by virtue of a non-essential feature, as a secondary or incidental effect; of ~, unnaturally, pathologically.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.763 : For thelementz ben servicable To man, and ofte of Accidence..Thei ben corrupt be sondri weie.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)27/17 : Þes lymes bi her kynde han no felynge, but what þei felen it is bi accidens [L accidentaliter] of þe pannicle þat wrieþ hem.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)3.742 (v.1:p.38) : Knowe God .. To whom noon accident may be godenesse, As in creaturis al, ner gretenesse, But alwey to ben that alwey is, Withoute ony accidence, is propirte his.
- a1475(1450) Scrope DSP (Bod 943)146/24 : And he saithe: konnyng is so good that it may not be lost liche as other accidences [DSPhilos.: accidentes].
b
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.3210 : That scholde assuage The lepre and al the violence, Which that thei knew of Accidence And noght be weie of kinde is falle.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)61b/a : Bi accidens [L per accidens] forsoþ it is done of hote þingez consumptyuez.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)173b/b : Som [medicinez] doþ þis bi þam selfe & proprely..Som doþ þis bi accidens.
2.
Gram. A set of endings or inflections added to the main part of a word.
Associated quotations
- (c1434) Drury Wks.(CmbAdd 2830)79/1 : O what is a comparison? A liknes of diuerse thyngis in a certeyn accidens, as: John is wys, Thomas is wysere [etc.].