What Does “Coïncidance” Mean?
The word coïncidance is an archaic or rare variant spelling of “coincidence.” It appears in historical texts and occasionally in poetic or stylized writing. While not recognized in modern standard dictionaries, it reflects older orthographic conventions where the diaeresis (¨) was used to indicate that two adjacent vowels should be pronounced separately.
Etymology & Spelling
“Coïncidance” derives from the Latin coincidentia, via French coïncidence. The diaeresis over the “i” (as in coïncide) signals that the “o” and “i” are not blended into a diphthong but pronounced as distinct syllables: /koʊˈɪn.sɪ.dəns/.
Over time, English dropped the diaeresis in most words (e.g., “naïve” → “naive”), and “coincidence” became the standard spelling.
Pronunciation
Phonetic: /koʊˈɪn.sɪ.dəns/
Breakdown: co (like “go”) + in (as in “in”) + ci (like “si” in “sit”) + dence (like “dense”).
Usage Examples
- “Was it mere coïncidance, or fate’s quiet hand at work?” — 19th-century journal
- In Victorian literature, authors sometimes employed “coïncidance” for rhythmic or aesthetic effect.
⚠️ Note: In contemporary English, always use “coincidence” unless intentionally evoking historical style.
Fun Fact
The diaeresis is still used in a few English words like naïve, Noël, and Zoë—but “coïncidence” has largely vanished from modern usage.