adv. Obs. [f. ACCIDENT a. + -LY2.] Sense 2 was the earlier in use; see ACCIDENT, -AL.

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  1.  Accidentally, casually, by chance.

2

1611.  Speed, Hist. Gt. Brit. (1632), IX. vii. 530. Which Act was accidently hanseld.

3

1782.  J. Fletcher, Lett., Wks. 1795, VII. 239. I broke my shin accidently against a bench.

4

1864.  E. Sargent, Peculiar, III. 87. Accidently attending an auction he buys an infant slave.

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  2.  Non-essentially, incidentally, as a subsidiary or secondary effect.

6

1506.  W. de Worde, Ordinary of Crysten Men, V. v. [400]. They haue glorye not to haue done them [sins] … but accydently for as moche as they haue done penaunce.

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1533.  Elyot, Castel of Helth (1541), 13. Age [is] … accidently moist, but naturally cold and dry.

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1616.  Surflet & Markh., Countrey Farme, VI. xxii. 626. But and if it [wine] be yet so drunke immoderately … accidently it cooleth … and quite undoeth the prouocations and acts of lust.

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