In"ci*dence (?), n. [Cf. F. incidence.]
1.
A falling on or upon; an incident; an event.
[Obs.]
Bp. Hall.
2. Physics
The direction in which a body, or a ray of light or heat, falls on any surface.
In equal incidences there is a considerable inequality of refractions.
Sir I. Newton.
Angle of incidence, the angle which a ray of light, or the line of incidence of a body, falling on any surface, makes with a perpendicular to that surface; also formerly, the complement of this angle. -- Line of incidence, the line in the direction of which a surface is struck by a body, ray of light, and the like.
© Webster 1913.