incidentally
UK[ˌɪnsɪˈdentəli]US[ˌɪnsɪˈdentəli]
adv
used to introduce a point that is related but less important than the main topic.
adv
in a way that happens by chance in connection with something else.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
cident
ally
in
on, upon, into
cident
ally
Etymology
the word 'incidentally' has a journey from a concrete physical action to an abstract logical connector. its core, the latin verb 'cadere' (to fall), combined with the prefix 'in-' (upon), originally formed 'incidere', meaning 'to fall upon, to happen'. this gave rise to 'incident', denoting an event or occurrence. the adverbial suffix '-ally' was later appended to create a form meaning 'in the manner of an occurring event'. over time, this evolved from describing something happening by chance to its modern primary function as a discourse marker, introducing a secondary or tangential point that has, as it were, 'fallen into' the main conversation.
Analysis
Structure: in + cident + ally
- in- (latin): a prefix meaning 'on, upon, into'.
- cident (latin): from the present participle stem 'cadent-' of 'cadere', meaning 'to fall'.
- -ally (latin/english): an adverbial suffix formed from -al + -ly, meaning 'in a manner of'.
Examples
the food was excellent, and incidentally, the service was remarkably quick.
i found the old letters incidentally while cleaning out the attic.
he mentioned, incidentally, that he would be leaving the company next month.