incident

Definition

  • noun: an unexpected and usually unpleasant thing that happens
  • noun: something dependent on or subordinate to something else of greater or principal importance
  • synonyms: casual, fortuitous, befalling

Examples

  • The suspects were arrested 'without incident'. [=without any unexpected trouble]

  • Aside from a few isolated 'incidents', the crowd was well-behaved.

  • We just want to put that embarrassing 'incident' behind us.

Movie quotes

  • (..) Indeed. Never had any adventures or did anything unexpected. If you're referring to the incident with the dragon,I was barely involved. All I did was give your uncle a little nudge out of the door. Whatever you did,you've been officially labeled a disturber of the peace. Oh,really? (..)
    2001 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring