accidentally

adv

Etymology: Etymology tree English accidental Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-Germanic *-ê Proto-Germanic *-līkê Proto-West Germanic *-līkē Old English -līċe Middle English -ly English -ly English accidentally From accidental + -ly.

1. In an accidental manner; by chance, unexpectedly.

   “He discovered penicillin largely accidentally.”

   “For quotations using this term, see Citations:accidentally.”

2. Unintentionally.

   “He accidentally exposed the bacteria to mold spores.”

   “As I arrived at the foot of the hill I overtook two ladies, whom I passed. As I did so, I brushed one of them accidently on the arm.”