Definition of INCIDENCE

incidence

Plural: incidences

Noun

  • the relative frequency of occurrence of something
  • the striking of a light beam on a surface
    • "he measured the angle of incidence of the reflected light"
  • The act of something happening; occurrence.
  • The extent or the relative frequency of something happening.
  • The manner of falling; bearing or onus, as of a tax that falls unequally.
  • The striking of radiation or a projectile upon a surface.
  • A measure of the rate of new occurrence of a given medical condition in a population within a specified period of time.
  • The falling of a point on a line, or a line on a plane.
  • The relation between an edge of a graph and one of the vertices it connects.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle French incidence, from Medieval Latin incidentia (“a falling upon”), from Latin incidens, present participle of incidere (“to fall upon”), from in (“on”) + cadere (“to fall”).

Synonyms

relative incidence

Scrabble Score: 14

incidence: valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
incidence: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
incidence: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 18

incidence is a valid Words With Friends word