Main Entry: ac·ci·dent

Pronunciation: \ˈak-səd-ənt, -sə-ˌdent; ˈaks-dənt\

Function: noun

1 : an unfortunate event resulting from carelessness, unawareness, ignorance, or a combination of causes
2 : an unexpected bodily event of medical importance especially when injurious <a cerebrovascular accident>
3 : an unexpected happening causing loss or injury which is not due to any fault or misconduct on the part of the person injured but for which legal relief may be sought

—ac·ci·den·tal \ˌak-sə-ˈdent-^əl\ adjective

—ac·ci·den·tal·ly \-ˈdent-lē, -^əl-ē\ also ac·ci·dent·ly \-ˈdent-lē\ adverb