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n. 1. A property which is not essential; a nonessential; anything happening accidentally. [ 1913 Webster ]

He conceived it just that accidentals . . . should sink with the substance of the accusation. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. pl. (Paint.) Those fortuitous effects produced by luminous rays falling on certain objects so that some parts stand forth in abnormal brightness and other parts are cast into a deep shadow. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Mus.) A sharp, flat, or natural, occurring not at the commencement of a piece of music as the signature, but before a particular note. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. accidentel, earlier accidental. ] 1. Happening by chance, or unexpectedly; taking place not according to the usual course of things; casual; fortuitous; as, an accidental visit. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Nonessential; not necessary belonging; incidental; as, are accidental to a play. [ 1913 Webster ]

Accidental chords (Mus.), those which contain one or more tones foreign to their proper harmony. --
Accidental colors (Opt.), colors depending on the hypersensibility of the retina of the eye for complementary colors. They are purely subjective sensations of color which often result from the contemplation of actually colored bodies. --
Accidental point (Persp.), the point in which a right line, drawn from the eye, parallel to a given right line, cuts the perspective plane; so called to distinguish it from the principal point, or point of view, where a line drawn from the eye perpendicular to the perspective plane meets this plane. --
Accidental lights (Paint.), secondary lights; effects of light other than ordinary daylight, such as the rays of the sun darting through a cloud, or between the leaves of trees; the effect of moonlight, candlelight, or burning bodies. Fairholt. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Casual; fortuitous; contingent; occasional; adventitious. -- Accidental, Incidental, Casual, Fortuitous, Contingent. We speak of a thing as accidental when it falls out as by chance, and not in the regular course of things; as, an accidental meeting, an accidental advantage, etc. We call a thing incidental when it falls, as it were, into some regular course of things, but is secondary, and forms no essential part thereof; as, an incremental remark, an incidental evil, an incidental benefit. We speak of a thing as casual, when it falls out or happens, as it were, by mere chance, without being prearranged or premeditated; as, a casual remark or encounter; a casual observer. An idea of the unimportant is attached to what is casual. Fortuitous is applied to what occurs without any known cause, and in opposition to what has been foreseen; as, a fortuitous concourse of atoms. We call a thing contingent when it is such that, considered in itself, it may or may not happen, but is dependent for its existence on something else; as, the time of my coming will be contingent on intelligence yet to be received. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Accidental character or effect. Ruskin. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being accidental; accidentalness. [ R. ] Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an accidental manner; unexpectedly; by chance; unintentionally; casually; fortuitously; not essentially. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being accidental; casualness. [ 1913 Webster ]

a.. [ L. angulus angle + dens, dentis, tooth. ] (Bot.) Angularly toothed, as certain leaves. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. antecedens, -entis, p. pr. of antecedere: cf. F. antécédent. ] 1. Going before in time; prior; anterior; preceding; as, an event antecedent to the Deluge; an antecedent cause. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Presumptive; as, an antecedent improbability. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Prior; previous; foregoing. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. antécédent. ] 1. That which goes before in time; that which precedes. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Homeric mythology, as well as the Homeric language, has surely its antecedents. Max Miller. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who precedes or goes in front. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

My antecedent, or my gentleman usher. Massinger. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. pl. The earlier events of one's life; previous principles, conduct, course, history. J. H. Newman. [ 1913 Webster ]

If the troops . . . prove worthy of their antecedents, the victory is surely ours. Gen. G. McClellan. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Gram.) The noun to which a relative refers; as, in the sentence “Solomon was the prince who built the temple, ” prince is the antecedent of who. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Logic) (a) The first or conditional part of a hypothetical proposition; as, If the earth is fixed, the sun must move. (b) The first of the two propositions which constitute an enthymeme or contracted syllogism; as, Every man is mortal; therefore the king must die. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Math.) The first of the two terms of a ratio; the first or third of the four terms of a proportion. In the ratio a:b, a is the antecedent, and b the consequent. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. Previously; before in time; at a time preceding; as, antecedently to conversion. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ OE. ardaunt, F. ardant, p. pr. of arder to burn, fr. L. ardere. ] 1. Hot or burning; causing a sensation of burning; fiery; as, ardent spirits, that is, distilled liquors; an ardent fever. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Having the appearance or quality of fire; fierce; glowing; shining; as, ardent eyes. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Warm, applied to the passions and affections; passionate; fervent; zealous; vehement; as, ardent love, feelings, zeal, hope, temper. [ 1913 Webster ]

An ardent and impetuous race. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Burning; hot; fiery; glowing; intense; fierce; vehement; eager; zealous; keen; fervid; fervent; passionate; affectionate. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an ardent manner; eagerly; with warmth; affectionately; passionately. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Ardency. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. any type of strongly alcoholic beverage prepared by distillation of an alcohol-containing fermented material. [ PJC ]

{ } a. 1. Rising toward the zenith; above the horizon. [ 1913 Webster ]

The constellation . . . about that time ascendant. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Rising; ascending. Ruskin. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Superior; surpassing; ruling. [ 1913 Webster ]

An ascendant spirit over him. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

The ascendant community obtained a surplus of wealth. J. S. Mill. [ 1913 Webster ]

Without some power of persuading or confuting, of defending himself against accusations, . . . no man could possibly hold an ascendent position. Grote. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. tending or directed upward.
Syn. -- ascendant, ascensive. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

rooted and ascendant strength like that of foliage. John Ruskin [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. having the most important influence.
Syn. -- ascendant, dominating, prestigious. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. 1. position or state of being dominant or in control. that idea was in the ascendant.
Syn. -- ascendant. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote that a grandparent).
Syn. -- ancestor, ascendant, antecedent. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. [ L. assidens, p. pr. of assid&unr_;re to sit by: cf. F. assident. See Assession. ] (Med.) Usually attending a disease, but not always; as, assident signs, or symptoms. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. bidens, -entis, having two prongs; bis twice + dens a tooth. ] An instrument or weapon with two prongs. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having two teeth. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Bot. & Zool.) Having two teeth or two toothlike processes; two-toothed. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. cadens, -entis, p. pr. of cadere to fall. ] Falling. [ R. ] “Cadent tears.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖ A sofa having a seat at each end at right angles to the main seats. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. [ L. candens, p. pr. of candëre to glitter. See Candid. ] Heated to whiteness; glowing with heat. “A candent vessel.” Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. claudens, p. pr. of claudere to shut. ] Shutting; confining; drawing together; as, a claudent muscle. [ R. ] Jonson [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One of two or more coincident events; a coincidence. [ R. ] “Coincidents and accidents.” Froude. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. coïncident. ] Having coincidence; occupying the same place; contemporaneous; concurrent; -- followed by with. [ 1913 Webster ]

Christianity teaches nothing but what is perfectly suitable to, and coincident with, the ruling principles of a virtuous and well-inclined man. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Coincident. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. With coincidence. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. concludens, p. pr. ] Bringing to a close; decisive; conclusive. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Arguments highly consequential and concludent to my purpose. Sir M. Hale. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Confidant. South. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. confidentiel. ] 1. Enjoying, or treated with, confidence; trusted in; trustworthy; as, a confidential servant or clerk. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Communicated in confidence; secret. “Confidential messages.” Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

Confidential communication (Law) See Privileged communication, under Privileged. --
Confidential creditors, those whose claims are of such a character that they are entitled to be paid before other creditors. --
Confidential debts, debts incurred for borrowed money, and regarded as having a claim to be paid before other debts. McElrath. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. the state or attribute of being secret; privacy; as, you must respect the confidentiality of your client's communications. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

2. discretion in keeping secret information. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

adv. In confidence; in reliance on secrecy. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. With confidence; with strong assurance; positively. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being confident. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. contendens, p. pr. ] An antagonist; a contestant. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

In all notable changes and revolutions the contendents have been still made a prey to the third party. L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Law) One who is called upon to answer a summons or other proceeding jointly with another. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. correspondant. ] Suitable; adapted; fit; corresponding; congruous; conformable; in accord or agreement; obedient; willing. [ 1913 Webster ]

Action correspondent or repugnant unto the law. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

As fast the correspondent passions rise. Thomson. [ 1913 Webster ]

I will be correspondent to command. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One with whom intercourse is carried on by letter. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who communicates information, etc., by letter or telegram to a newspaper or periodical. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Com.) One who carries on commercial intercourse by letter or telegram with a person or firm at a distance. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a a corresponding manner; conformably; suitably. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. corrodens, p. pr. of corrodere. ] Corrosive. [ R. ] Bp. King. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Anything that corrodes. Bp. King. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ . credens, -entis, p. pr. of credere to trust, believe. See Creed. ] 1. Believing; giving credence; credulous. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

If with too credent ear you list songs. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Having credit or authority; credible. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

For my authority bears of a credent bulk. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. It. credenziale, fr. LL. credentia. See Credence. ] Giving a title or claim to credit or confidence; accrediting. [ 1913 Webster ]

Their credential letters on both sides. Camden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. It. credenziale. ] 1. That which gives a title to credit or confidence. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. pl. Testimonials showing that a person is entitled to credit, or has right to exercise official power, as the letters given by a government to an ambassador or envoy, or a certificate that one is a duly elected delegate. [ 1913 Webster ]

The committee of estates excepted against the credentials of the English commissioners. Whitelocke. [ 1913 Webster ]

Had they not shown undoubted credentials from the Divine Person who sent them on such a message. Addison.

adj. having an official document certifying fitness for a particular task.
Syn. -- certificated, documented. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. [ L. curvus + E. dentate. ] Having curved teeth. [ 1913 Webster ]