accidence

noun

Etymology: * First attested in the late 14th century. * (grammar): First attested in the mid 15th century. * From Middle English accidence, accidens, from Latin accidentia (“accidental matters”), from accidēns, present participle of accidere (“to happen”)

1. The inflection of words.

   “To teach Schollars how to bee able to reade well, and write true Orthography, in a short space. 2. To make them ready in all points of Accedence and Grammar, to answere any necessary question therein.”

   “1669, John Milton, Accedence Commenc’t Grammar (title of a Latin grammar)”

2. The rudiments of any subject.

   “When Franklin, playing with his kite in a thunderstorm, brought down sparks from the heavens, he was learning the accidence of that science of Electricity which has given us the Telegraph and Telephone […]”

3. A book containing the first principles of grammar; (by extension) a book containing the rudiments of any subject or art.

   “And forsomuch as this treateth of blazon of Armes, and of the worthie bearers of them […] I therefore, have named this, the Accedence of Armorie […]”

   “Sir Hugh, my husband says my son profits nothing in the world at his book. I pray you, ask him some questions in his accidence.”