incident

Where does the word "incident" come from? It comes from Latin incidere, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Incident’s story begins in Latin: incidere meant “to fall upon, to happen.” To fall upon, to happen, from in- (upon) and cadere (to fall). It reached English by 1300s as incident. Settled as the English word for an event, especially a minor or notable one. Today, incident means an event or occurrence, especially one considered noteworthy or minor.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient incidere "to fall upon, to happen", to fall upon, to happen, from in- (upon) and cadere (to fall).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1300s incident "an event, especially a minor or notable one", settled as the English word for an event, especially a minor or notable one.