Incidences of incidences.

Question

I've heard the word "incidences" used a couple of time recently to mean "incidents" (or perhaps "instances"). Google throws up any number of examples and even support from an online dictionary "There have been quite a few incidences of bullying in the school this year."
To me that would mean (if anything) that there have been a number of different rates of occurrence of bullying - not there have been a number of occurrences of bullying. Am I out of line here or are they?
Phil C.

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]I've heard the word "incidences" used a couple of time recently to mean "incidents" (or perhaps "instances"). Google throws up ... - not there have been a number of occurrences of bullying. Am I out of line here or are they?[/nq]
The Oxford English Dictionary gives the first meaning of "incidence" as being equivalent to "incident".

Mike Stevens
narrowboat Felis Catus II
Web site www.mike-stevens.co.uk
No man is an island. So is Man.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]I've heard the word "incidences" used a couple of time ... bullying. Am I out of line here or are they?[/nq]
[nq:1]The Oxford English Dictionary gives the first meaning of "incidence" as being equivalent to "incident".[/nq]
It's interesting that COD, MW and "define:incidence" in Google don't give that between them - except perhaps in a specialised sense of both words. Is the OED using a specialised meaning or is it just equivalent to our everyday use as in "the motorway is closed due to a major incident" etc? "Incidence" sounds very odd to me there.
Phil C.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]The Oxford English Dictionary gives the first meaning of "incidence" as being equivalent to "incident".[/nq]
[nq:1]It's interesting that COD, MW and "define:incidence" in Google don't give that between them - except perhaps in a specialised ... use as in "the motorway is closed due to a major incident" etc? "Incidence" sounds very odd to me there.[/nq]
You're right:
1. a. = incident n.1 1; incidental matter. Obs.
1423 Jas. I Kingis Q. vii, Procede I will agayn to my sentence Offmy mater, and leue all Incidence. 1525 Ld. Berners Froiss. II. i. 3 In the same season there fell in Lombardye a marueylous insydence, which was moche spoken of throughe out all the worlde. Ibid. clii. (cxlviii.) 419, I knowe nat by what insydence certayne men layde in wayte on hym, and in the feldes set on him or he was ware. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. ii. viii. §3 Many operations have been invented sometimes by a casual incidence and occurrence. 1651 Jer. Taylor Holy Living iii. §4 (1870) 153 He that hath wounded his neighbour is tied to the expenses of the Surgeon and other incidences.

Giles

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]The Oxford English Dictionary gives the first meaning of "incidence" as being equivalent to "incident".[/nq]
[nq:1]It's interesting that COD, MW and "define:incidence" in Google don't give that between them - except perhaps in a specialised ... use as in "the motorway is closed due to a major incident" etc? "Incidence" sounds very odd to me there.[/nq]
I possibly mislead you by quoting too selectively. The first entry under "incidence" reads :
"incidence

1. a. = incident n.1 1; incidental matter. Obs.b. A casual circumstance. Obs.
c. = incident n.1 4b. Obs."
(Note that it marks all three usages as obsolete, as it does at least one other meaning it cites).
And under "incident" we find :
"incident, n.1

1. a. Something that occurs casually in the course of, or in connexionwith, something else, of which it constitutes no essential part; an evnt of accessory or subordinate character.
b. An occurrence or event, sometimes comparatively trivial in itself, which precipitates or could precipitate political unrest, open warfare, etc. Also, a particular episode (air-raid, skirmish, etc.) in war; an unplesant or violent argument, a fracas.

2. a. An occurrence or event viewed as a separate circumstance.b. A matter, an affair. Obs. rare.

3. In the arts: a. A distinct piece of action in a play or poem; inearly use, an event subordinate to the main design (so F. incident). b. A single feature in a picture; especially one that does not form part of the main design or scene. rare.

4. a. Something liable to attach itself to or connect itself withanother thing; an accessory circumstance. Const. to, unto (rarely into). Obs. exc. as in b.
b. Law. A privilege, burden, custom, etc. commonly or invariably attaching to an office, estate, or the like.
c. An incidental charge or expense. Obs."

Mike Stevens
narrowboat Felis Catus II
Web site www.mike-stevens.co.uk
No man is an island. So is Man.

Incidences of incidences.

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