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Phil C.
Guest
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| Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 9:03 pm
Post subject: Incidences of incidences. |
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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
<http://www.freesearch.co.uk/dictionary/incidences>
"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.
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Mike Stevens
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 4:30 am
Post subject: Re: Incidences of incidences. |
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Phil C. wrote:
| Quote: | 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
http://www.freesearch.co.uk/dictionary/incidences
"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?
|
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. |
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Phil C.
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 7:29 pm
Post subject: Re: Incidences of incidences. |
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On Sun, 5 Jun 2005 23:30:21 +0100, "Mike Stevens"
<michael.stevens@which.net> wrote:
| Quote: | Phil C. wrote:
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
http://www.freesearch.co.uk/dictionary/incidences
"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?
The Oxford English Dictionary gives the first meaning of "incidence" as
being equivalent to "incident".
|
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.
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Giles Todd
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2005 4:01 am
Post subject: Re: Incidences of incidences. |
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On Mon, 06 Jun 2005 14:29:59 +0100, Phil C.
<philstoxicwaste@fsmail.net> wrote:
| Quote: | On Sun, 5 Jun 2005 23:30:21 +0100, "Mike Stevens"
michael.stevens@which.net> wrote:
The Oxford English Dictionary gives the first meaning of "incidence" as
being equivalent to "incident".
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.
|
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 Off
my 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 |
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Mike Stevens
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2005 1:13 pm
Post subject: Re: Incidences of incidences. |
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Phil C. wrote:
| Quote: | On Sun, 5 Jun 2005 23:30:21 +0100, "Mike Stevens"
michael.stevens@which.net> wrote:
Phil C. wrote:
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
http://www.freesearch.co.uk/dictionary/incidences
"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?
The Oxford English Dictionary gives the first meaning of "incidence"
as being equivalent to "incident".
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.
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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 connexion
with, 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; in
early 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 with
another 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. |
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