French word

accidenter

Pronunciation

IPA/aksidɑ̃te/

Meaning

  • verbroughen

Example

Les racines ont accidenté le sentier.

The roots roughened the path.

Illustration for accidenter (roughen)

More examples

Les pluies ont accidenté le sentier.

The rains made the trail uneven.

Core concept

A smooth path or surface changed into one with noticeable rises and hollows under the feet.

Similar words

abîmer: To damage an object's appearance or condition, causing scratches, tears, or similar flaws.
endommager: To damage an object or piece of equipment, impairing its function or shape.
creuser: To dig out and form a hollow or hole.
détériorer: To worsen in quality or condition through time or use.

Definition in French

Créer des irrégularités visibles et tactiles sur un sol ou un objet, comme des bosses ou des creux.

Word origin

The verb accidenter is formed from the adjective accidenté with the verb ending -er, and accidenté comes from accident, ultimately from Latin accidens, meaning something that occurs.

Usage tips

  • With a surface noun such as terrain, sol, or objet, accidenter normally describes making the surface uneven; provoquer un accident is the usual phrase for causing an accident.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word