something that happens or is regarded as happening; an occurrence, esp. one of some importance.
2.
the outcome, issue, or result of anything: The venture had no successful event.
3.
something that occurs in a certain place during a particular interval of time.
4.
Physics. in relativity, an occurrence that is sharply localized at a single point in space and instant of time. Compare world point.
5.
Sports. any of the contests in a program made up of one sport or of a number of sports: The broad jump event followed the pole vault.
—Idioms
6.
in any event, regardless of what happens; in any case. Also, at all events.
7.
in the event of, if there should be: In the event of rain, the party will be held indoors.
8.
in the event that, if it should happen that; in case: In the event that I can't come back by seven, you can eat without me.
[Origin: 1560–70; < L éventus occurrence, outcome, equiv. to éven(īre) to occur, come out + -tus suffix of v. action]
—Related forms
e·vent·less, adjective
—Synonyms 1. happening, affair, case, circumstance. Event,episode,incident,occurrence are terms for a happening. An event is usually an important happening: historical events. An episode is one of a series of happenings in a person's life or in a narrative: an episode in one's life. An incident is an event of usually minor importance: an amusing incident in a play. An occurrence is something that happens, often by surprise: His arrival was an unexpected occurrence. 2. consequence.
1573, from M.Fr. event, from L. eventus "occurrence, issue," from evenire "to come out, happen, result," from ex- "out" + venire "to come" (see venue). Eventually "ultimately" first recorded c.1680; eventuality is 1828, originally "the power of observing in phrenology." Eventful is from 1600. Event horizon in astrophysics is from 1969.
a special set of circumstances; "in that event, the first possibility is excluded"; "it may rain in which case the picnic will be canceled"
3.
a phenomenon located at a single point in space-time; the fundamental observational entity in relativity theory
4.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon; "the magnetic effect was greater when the rod was lengthwise"; "his decision had depressing consequences for business"; "he acted very wise after the event" [syn: consequence]
event 1. An occurrence or happening of significance to a task or program, such as the completion of an asynchronous input/output operation. A task may wait for an event or any of a set of events or it may (request to) receive asynchronous notification (a signal or interrupt) that the event has occurred. See also event-driven. 2. A transaction or other activity that affects the records in a file. (2000-02-09)
Cir"cum*stance\, n. [L. circumstantia, fr. circumstans, -antis, p. pr. of circumstare to stand around; circum + stare to stand. See Stand.]1. That which attends, or relates to, or in some way affects, a fact or event; an attendant thing or state of things. The circumstances are well known in the country where they happened. --W. Irving. 2. An event; a fact; a particular incident. The sculptor had in his thoughts the conqueror weeping for new worlds, or the like circumstances in history. --Addison. 3. Circumlocution; detail. [Obs.] So without more circumstance at all I hold it fit that we shake hands and part. --Shak. 4. pl. Condition in regard to worldly estate; state of property; situation; surroundings. When men are easy in their circumstances, they are naturally enemies to innovations. --Addison. Not a circumstance, of no account. [Colloq.] Under the circumstances, taking all things into consideration. Syn: Event; occurrence; incident; situation; condition; position; fact; detail; item. See Event.
E*vent"\, n. [L. eventus, fr. evenire to happen, come out; e out + venire to come. See Come.]1. That which comes, arrives, or happens; that which falls out; any incident, good or bad. "The events of his early years." --Macaulay. To watch quietly the course of events. --Jowett (Thucyd. ) There is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked. --Eccl. ix. 2. 2. An affair in hand; business; enterprise. [Obs.] "Leave we him to his events." --Shak. 3. The consequence of anything; the issue; conclusion; result; that in which an action, operation, or series of operations, terminates. Dark doubts between the promise and event. --Young. Syn: Incident; occurrence; adventure; issue; result; termination; consequence; conclusion. Usage: Event, Occurrence, Incident, Circumstance. An event denotes that which arises from a preceding state of things. Hence we speak or watching the event; of tracing the progress of events. An occurrence has no reference to any antecedents, but simply marks that which meets us in our progress through life, as if by chance, or in the course of divine providence. The things which thus meet us, if important, are usually connected with antecedents; and hence event is the leading term. In the "Declaration of Independence" it is said, "When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary." etc. Here, occurrences would be out of place. An incident is that which falls into a state of things to which is does not primarily belong; as, the incidents of a journey. The term is usually applied to things of secondary importance. A circumstance is one of the things surrounding us in our path of life. These may differ greatly in importance; but they are always outsiders, which operate upon us from without, exerting greater or less influence according to their intrinsic importance. A person giving an account of a campaign might dwell on the leading events which it produced; might mention some of its striking occurrences; might allude to some remarkable incidents which attended it; and might give the details of the favorable or adverse circumstances which marked its progress.
E*vent"\, n. [L. eventus, fr. evenire to happen, come out; e out + venire to come. See Come.]1. That which comes, arrives, or happens; that which falls out; any incident, good or bad. "The events of his early years." --Macaulay. To watch quietly the course of events. --Jowett (Thucyd. ) There is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked. --Eccl. ix. 2. 2. An affair in hand; business; enterprise. [Obs.] "Leave we him to his events." --Shak. 3. The consequence of anything; the issue; conclusion; result; that in which an action, operation, or series of operations, terminates. Dark doubts between the promise and event. --Young. Syn: Incident; occurrence; adventure; issue; result; termination; consequence; conclusion. Usage: Event, Occurrence, Incident, Circumstance. An event denotes that which arises from a preceding state of things. Hence we speak or watching the event; of tracing the progress of events. An occurrence has no reference to any antecedents, but simply marks that which meets us in our progress through life, as if by chance, or in the course of divine providence. The things which thus meet us, if important, are usually connected with antecedents; and hence event is the leading term. In the "Declaration of Independence" it is said, "When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary." etc. Here, occurrences would be out of place. An incident is that which falls into a state of things to which is does not primarily belong; as, the incidents of a journey. The term is usually applied to things of secondary importance. A circumstance is one of the things surrounding us in our path of life. These may differ greatly in importance; but they are always outsiders, which operate upon us from without, exerting greater or less influence according to their intrinsic importance. A person giving an account of a campaign might dwell on the leading events which it produced; might mention some of its striking occurrences; might allude to some remarkable incidents which attended it; and might give the details of the favorable or adverse circumstances which marked its progress.
E*vent"tu*al\, a. [Cf. F. ['e]ventiel. See Event.]1. Coming or happening as a consequence or result; consequential. --Burke. 2. Final; ultimate. "Eventual success." --Cooper. 3. (Law) Dependent on events; contingent. --Marshall.
In"ci*dent\, n. [Cf. F. incident.]1. That which falls out or takes place; an event; casualty; occurrence. 2. That which happens aside from the main design; an accidental or subordinate action or event. No person, no incident, in a play but must be of use to carry on the main design. --Dryden. 3. (Law) Something appertaining to, passing with, or depending on, another, called the principal. --Tomlins. Syn: Circumstance; event; fact; adventure; contingency; chance; accident; casualty. See Event.
Oc*cur"rence\, n. [Cf. F. occurrence. See Occur.]1. A coming or happening; as, the occurence of a railway collision. Voyages detain the mind by the perpetual occurrence and expectation of something new. --I. Watts. 2. Any incident or event; esp., one which happens without being designed or expected; as, an unusual occurrence, or the ordinary occurrences of life. All the occurrence of my fortune. --Shak. Syn: See Event.
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