ACCIDENTAL, in Philosophy, is applied to that effect which flows from some cause intervening by accident, without being subject, or at least without any appearance of being subject to general laws or regular returns. In this sense, accident is opposed to constant and principal. Thus the sun's place is, with respect to the earth, the constant and principal cause of the heat in summer, and the cold in winter; whereas winds, snows, and rains, are the accidental causes which often alter and modify the action of the principal cause.