incidence
UK[ˈɪnsɪdəns]US[ˈɪnsɪdəns]
n
The occurrence, rate, or frequency of a disease, crime, or other undesirable thing.
n
The way in which something, especially light or radiation, strikes a surface.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
cid
ence
in
on, upon
cid
fall
ence
noun suffix
Etymology
The word "incidence" originates from the Late Latin incidentia, meaning "a falling upon". This itself is derived from the Latin verb incidere, composed of in- ("upon") and cadere ("to fall"). The core logic is one of physical impact or occurrence, as if an event "falls upon" a situation. Over time, this concrete sense of "a falling upon" evolved into the modern abstract meanings, referring to the rate at which events (like diseases) occur or the manner in which rays of light strike a surface, both preserving the idea of something happening or making contact.
Analysis
Structure: in (on, upon) + cid (fall) + ence (noun suffix)
- in: Latin prefix meaning "on, upon, into".
- cid: Latin root from the verb cadere, meaning "to fall".
- ence: Latin-derived noun suffix forming abstract nouns indicating a state or quality.
Examples
Public health officials are monitoring the incidence of the virus in the community.
There is a high incidence of car theft in this neighborhood.
The angle of incidence of the light beam affects its reflection.