incidentals

the word "incidentals" originates from the latin verb incidere, meaning "to fall into, to happen, to befall," which itself is a compound of the prefix in- (on, upon) and cadere (to fall). this literal sense of "falling upon" evolved metaphorically to mean "occurring as a subordinate event." the adjective "incidental" was formed in english during the 17th century, denoting something that occurs in connection with something else but is not the primary focus. the plural noun form "incidentals" subsequently emerged to categorize those minor, accompanying happenstances or expenses that are not part of the main plan or budget.

Structure: in (on, towards) + cid (fall) + entals (adjective-forming suffix, made plural) - in: a latin prefix meaning "on, upon, towards". - cid: from the latin root cadere (to fall, to happen), present here in a combining form. - entals: a complex suffix built from -ent (a latin present participle/adjective-forming suffix) + -al (a latin suffix forming adjectives) + -s (the english plural suffix). its functional role is to form an adjective meaning "pertaining to or characterized by falling/happening upon," which is then used as a plural noun.