Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Incident

Incident , adjective

[Latin incidens, -entis, p. pr. & of incidere to fall into or upon; pref. in- in, on + cadere to fall: compare French 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.
Collocations (1)
Incident proposition (Logic) , a proposition subordinate to another, and introduced by who, which, whose, whom, etc.; as, Julius, whose surname was Casar, overcame Pompey. — I. Watts

Incident , noun

[Compare French 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