adv. [f. ACCIDENTAL + -LY2.] Sense 2 was the earlier in use; see ACCIDENT.
1. In an accidental manner; by accident, by chance, unintentionally, casually.
1588. Shaks., L. L. L., IV. ii. 143. A Letter … which accidentally … hath miscarried. Ibid. (1607), Coriol., IV. iii. 40. I am most fortunate, thus accidentally to encounter you.
1639. Fuller, Holy War (1840), II. xxi. 77. Being accidentally poisoned by one of his own arrows.
1771. Junius Lett., xlvi. 246. A great authority … I accidentally met with this morning.
1823. Lamb, Elia, Ser. II. xxiii. 393 (1865). Accidentally their acquaintance has proved pernicious to me.
† 2. Non-essentially, incidentally, as a secondary or subsidiary effect. Obs.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R. (1495), XVII. i. 593. Drye essencialli and moyst accidentally.
1541. R. Copland, Guydon’s Quest. of Cyrurg. Suppose that holly they do nat contrary, neuerthelesse they contrary accydentally.
1651. Hobbes, Gov. & Soc., iii. § 21. 50. Every man is presumed to seek what is good for himselfe naturally, and what is just, only for Peaces sake, and accidentally.
1781. Gibbon, Decl. & Fall., III. 139. The invasion of the Goths … contributed, at least accidentally, to extirpate the last remains of Paganism.
