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Incident vs Consequence - What's the difference?

incident | consequence | Related terms |

As nouns the difference between incident and consequence

is that incident is an event or occurrence while consequence is that which follows something on which it depends; that which is produced by a cause.

As an adjective incident

is arising as the result of an event, inherent.

As a verb consequence is

to threaten or punish (a child, etc.) with specific consequences for misbehaviour.

incident

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • An event or occurrence.
  • A relatively minor event that is incidental to, or related to others
  • An event that may cause or causes an interruption or a crisis
  • In safety, an incident of workplace illness or injury

    • Derived terms

    * incidental * aviation incident * coincident * incident room

    Related terms

    * accident * incidence * occident

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Arising as the result of an event, inherent
  • (physics) (of a stream of particles or radiation ) falling on or striking a surface (e.g. "The incident light illuminated the surface.")
  • Coming or happening accidentally; not in the usual course of things; not in connection with the main design; not according to expectation; casual; fortuitous.
  • * Hooker
    • As the ordinary course of common affairs is disposed of by general laws, so likewise men's rarer incident necessities and utilities should be with special equity considered.
  • Liable to happen; apt to occur; befalling; hence, naturally happening or appertaining.
  • * Milton
    • all chances incident to man's frail life
  • * Milward
    • the studies incident to his profession
  • (legal) Dependent upon, or appertaining to, another thing, called the principal.

    • consequence

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • That which follows something on which it depends; that which is produced by a cause.
  • *
    • The lobule margins, furthermore, are arched away from the lobe, with the consequence that (when fully inflated) the abaxial leaf surface forms the interior lining of the lobule.
  • A result of actions, especially if such a result is unwanted or unpleasant.
  • *{{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=September-October, author= Michael Sivak
    • , magazine=(American Scientist), title= Will AC Put a Chill on the Global Energy Supply? , passage=Nevertheless, it is clear that the global energy demand for air-conditioning will grow substantially as nations become more affluent, with the consequences of climate change potentially accelerating the demand.}}
  • A proposition collected from the agreement of other previous propositions; any conclusion which results from reason or argument; inference.
  • Chain of causes and effects; consecution.
  • Importance with respect to what comes after.
  • The power to influence or produce an effect.
  • (label) Importance, value, or influence.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2011, date=September 2, author=Phil McNulty, work=BBC
    • , title= Bulgaria 0-3 England , passage=Rooney's United team-mate Chris Smalling was given his debut at right-back and was able to adjust to the international stage in relatively relaxed fashion as Bulgaria barely posed a threat of any consequence .}}

    Usage notes

    * Adjectives often applied to "consequence": social, legal, environmental, political, economic, personal, cultural, moral, unintended, undesirable, likely, probable, necessary, logical, natural, important, significant, bad, disastrous, devastating, fatal, catastrophic, harmful.

    Synonyms

    * value * moment * rank * distinction * repercussion

    Related terms

    * consequential

    See also

    * causality * effect * impact

    Verb

    (consequenc)
  • To threaten or punish (a child, etc.) with specific consequences for misbehaviour.
  • * 1998 , Terry M. Levy, Michael Orlans, Attachment, trauma, and healing
    • The goal of consequencing is to teach the child a lesson that leads to positive choices and behaviors. The goal of punishment is to inflict pain and seek revenge. Angry parenting is punitive and ineffectual.
  • * 2001 , Betty Bedard-Bidwell, Hand in Hand (page 117)
    • These behaviours are not acceptable within a classroom setting and often result in the child being consequenced or removed from class.

    External links

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