(ˌæksɪˈdɛntəlɪzəm), accidentality (ˌæksɪdɛnˈtælɪtɪ) or accidentalness (ˌæksɪˈdɛntəlnəs)
noun
the state of being accidental
accidentalism in American English
(ˌæksɪˈdentlˌɪzəm)
noun
1.
a system of medicine based on the symptoms of a disease, disregarding its origin or cause
2. Philosophy
any theory holding that some events have no causes
Derived forms
accidentalist
noun or adjective
Word origin
[1850–55; accidental + -ism]This word is first recorded in the period 1850–55. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: boneyard, clear-cut, ethos, headhunting, segue-ism is a suffix appearing in loanwords from Greek, where it was used to form action nounsfrom verbs (baptism). On this model, -ism is used as a productive suffix in the formation of nouns denoting action or practice,state or condition, principles, doctrines, a usage or characteristic, devotion oradherence, etc. (criticism; barbarism; Darwinism; despotism; plagiarism; realism; witticism; intellectualism)