accident

accident 1 *quality, character, attribute, property

Analogous words: mark, *sign, note, badge, token, symptom: characteristic, peculiarity (see corresponding adjectives at CHARACTERISTIC)

Antonyms: substance (in philosophy)

2 *chance, hazard, luck, fortune, hap

Analogous words: contingency, fortuity, adventitiousness (see corresponding adjectives at ACCIDENTAL)

Antonyms: design, intent

Contrasted words: calculation, circumspection (see under CAUTIOUS): *plan, plot, project, scheme: *intention, purpose

3 Accident, casualty, mishap are synonyms when they designate chance or a chance event bringing injury or loss.

Accident is broadest in its application, being used of events that involve persons or things, or injuries or losses, serious or slight

{

he was crippled by the accident

}

{

a railway accident

}

{

owing to an accident to the machines one department was closed down

}

Casualty commonly implies destruction, especially of life, and is chiefly applied to an individual whose death, serious injury, or even desertion constitutes a loss to a military (or similar) force engaged in hazardous activities

{

the regiment suffered heavy casualties

}

As applied to insurance accident and casualty are usually distinguished: accident insurance is a provision against injury to oneself through accident; casualty insurance is a provision for indemnification for loss from accident (as fire or burglary) and especially for damages incurred through one’s liability for injury or loss to others.

Mishap as a rule is applied only to slight accidents, especially those involving disappointment or frustration

{

a day seldom passes without one mishap or another

}

Analogous words: *disaster, catastrophe: mischance, *misfortune, mishap