† accidentary, a. Obs.
(æksɪˈdɛntərɪ)
[f. accident n. + -ary; as if ad. L. *accidentārius.]
Sense 2 was the earlier in use; see accident n.
1. Fortuitous, casual; = accidental 1, 2.
| 1607 T. Walkington Opt. Glasse of Hum. 34 For this accidentary death instance mote be given of many. 1655 Culpeper Riverius v. iv. 127 In some an accidentary Stammering cometh by a Catarrh. 1678 Cathol. Cause in Harl. Misc. (Malh.) II. 134 Those that erroneously refer all things unto ..fortune, or such like accidentary events. |
2. Having the nature of a logical accident, not affecting the essence, non-essential; = accidental 3, 4.
| c 1555 Harpsfield Div. of Hen. VIII (1878) 246 The second perfection..is not essential but accidentary. 1656 Hobbes Six Less. Wks. 1845 VII. 218 Is not the circumduction of a semicircle accidentary to a sphere? |