Incident vs. Incidence — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Incident and Incidence
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Definitions
Incident
A particular occurrence, especially one of minor importance.
Incidence
The occurrence, rate, or frequency of a disease, crime, or other undesirable thing
An increased incidence of cancer
Incident
An event in a narrative or drama.
Incidence
The intersection of a line, or something moving in a straight line, such as a beam of light, with a surface
The point of incidence of the beam
Incident
A usually violent or disruptive occurrence, especially one that precipitates a larger crisis
An international incident that provoked war.
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Incidence
The rate or extent of occurrence or effect
A high incidence of malaria in the tropics.
Incident
An occurrence that interrupts normal procedure or functioning; a mishap
The plane landed without incident.
Incidence
Usage Problem A specific event; instance or incident
Fewer incidences of fraud after the regulations were enforced.
Incident
(Law) Something contingent on or related to something else.
Incidence
The action, fact, or instance of occurring
Did not expect criticism and was surprised by its incidence.
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Incident
Tending to arise or occur as a result or accompaniment
"There is a professional melancholy ... incident to the occupation of a tailor" (Charles Lamb).
Incidence
The arrival of radiation, a wave, or an object at a surface.
Incident
(Law) Related to or dependent on another thing.
Incidence
Angle of incidence.
Incident
(Physics) Falling upon or striking a surface
Incident radiation.
Incidence
The act of something happening; occurrence.
Incident
An event or occurrence.
She could not recall the time of the incident.
It was an incident that he hoped to forget.
The suspect was released without further incident.
Incidence
The extent or the relative frequency of something happening.
Incident
A (relatively minor) event that is incidental to, or related to others.
Incidence
The manner of falling; bearing or onus, as of a tax that falls unequally.
Incident
An event that causes or may cause an interruption or a crisis, such as a workplace illness or a software error.
Incidence
(physics) The striking of radiation or a projectile upon a surface.
Incident
Arising as the result of an event, inherent.
Incidence
(epidemiology) A measure of the rate of new occurrence of a given medical condition in a population within a specified period of time.
Incident
Falling on or striking a surface.
The incident light illuminated the surface.
Incidence
(geometry) The falling of a point on a line, or a line on a plane.
Incident
Coming or happening accidentally; not in the usual course of things; not in connection with the main design; not according to expectation; casual; fortuitous.
Incidence
A falling on or upon; an incident; an event; an occurrence.
Incident
Liable to happen; apt to occur; befalling; hence, naturally happening or appertaining.
Incidence
The direction in which a body, or a ray of light or heat, falls on any surface.
In equal incidences there is a considerable inequality of refractions.
Incident
(legal) Dependent upon, or appertaining to, another thing, called the principal.
Incidence
The rate or ratio at which something occurs; as, the incidence of murder in Los Angeles; the incidence of cancer in men over 50.
Incident
Falling or striking upon, as a ray of light upon a reflecting surface.
Incidence
The relative frequency of occurrence of something
Incident
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.
Incidence
The striking of a light beam on a surface;
He measured the angle of incidence of the reflected light
Incident
Liable to happen; apt to occur; befalling; hence, naturally happening or appertaining.
All chances incident to man's frail life.
The studies incident to his profession.
Incident
Dependent upon, or appertaining to, another thing, called the principal.
Incident
That which falls out or takes place; an event; casualty; occurrence.
Incident
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.
Incident
Something appertaining to, passing with, or depending on, another, called the principal.
Incident
A single distinct event
Incident
A public disturbance;
The police investigated an incident at the bus station
Incident
Falling or striking on something
Incident
(sometimes followed by `to') minor or casual or subordinate in significance or nature or occurring as a chance concomitant or consequence;
Incidental expenses
The road will bring other incidental advantages
Extra duties incidental to the job
Labor problems incidental to a rapid expansion
Confusion incidental to a quick change
