An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

An unexpected and undesirable event; an unforeseen and unplanned event or circumstance.

Etymology (EN): M.E., from M.Fr., from L. accidentum, pr.p. of accidere “to happen, fall out” from ad- “to” + cadere “to fall.”

Etymology (PE): Došâmad, from doš- prefix meaning “bad, ill, abnormal” (Mid.Pers. duš-, duž-, O.Pers./Av. duš-, duž- “bad, ugly, evil,” cognate with
Skt. dus-, Gk. → dys- “bad, hard, unlucky”)

• âmad, from âmadan “to come, happen,” as in the current term pišâmad “event, happening.”