accidence

Definition

The inflection of words.

Etymology

* First attested in the late 14th century. * (grammar): First attested in the mid 15th century. * From Middle English accidence, accidens, from Latin accidentia (“accidental matters”), from accidēns, present participle of accidere (“to happen”)

Example Sentences

• "To teach Schollars how to bee able to reade well, and write true Orthography, in a short space. 2. To make them ready in all points of Accedence and Grammar, to answere any necessary question therein."
• "1669, John Milton, Accedence Commenc’t Grammar (title of a Latin grammar)"
• "1871, Review of An Elementary Greek Grammar by William W. Goodwin, North American Review, Volume 112, No. 231, 1 April, 1871, p. 427, Our best schools send every year to college boys who know their accidence reasonably, and in some cases admirably well […]"

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