coincidence English · revision 10777

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1605|origins=fr coïncidence|origins=la-med coincidere}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /kəʊˈɪn.sɪ.dəns/, US /koʊˈɪn.sɪ.dəns/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|coïncidence]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from coïncider, from Medieval Latin coincidere, to fall upon together,^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from co-, together, in-, upon, and cadere, to fall (see [[coincide]]).^(Etymonline) The NODE derives it from Medieval Latin coincidentia.^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Exact agreement in substance or nature: 1605 in the OED and Merriam-Webster, about 1600 in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Occupying the same place is from 1626,^(OED 1989)^(NODE 1998) and happening at the same time from the 1640s, 1650 in the OED.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) A notable concurrence of events with no apparent connection, the modern main sense, is from the 1680s, perhaps first in Sir Thomas Browne's writings.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) An instance of coincidence, a coincidence, is from 1837.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1605 – exact agreement.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1626 – occupying the same place.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1650 – happening at the same time.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1680s – a chance concurrence.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1837 – a coincidence.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A striking chance occurrence of two or more events at the same time, seemingly connected but not so.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The fact or state of coinciding in space or time.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[noncoincidence]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[coincide]]

+ * [[coincident]]

+ * [[coincidental]]

+ * [[coincidentally]]

+ * [[incident]]

+ * [[accident]]

+ * [[cadence]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}