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nonoccurrence

nonoccurrence

7.9
An expected event that does not happen
  • noun
  • /ˌnɒnəˈkɜːrəns/
translation icon : no ocurrencia
  • The instrument measures the occurrence or nonoccurrence of 16 negative and 6 positive behaviors/emotions on a daily basis.
  • nonoccurrence or occurrence
  • nonoccurrence of behaviors

Examples

  • Role-playing, in this perspective, becomes distinctly nonheroic; the focus is on nonoccurrence, on that which literally did not take place.

    Academic text (1993)
  • When multiple student leaver outcomes exist, the nonoccurrence of one event does not "imply nonoccurrence of all others—it only refers to the nonoccurrence of this specific event" (Singer & Willet, 2003, p. 590).

    Academic text (2011)
  • However, this nonoccurrence is hardly sufficient proof.

    Academic text (2003)
  • The less motivated and resolved ones would not have chosen to initiate a conflict, producing cases where the dog did not bark (that is, the nonoccurrence of the expected attack, representing successful deterrence).

    Academic text (2003)
  • The nonoccurrence of rain this summer has worried many farmers about their crops.

  • Due to the nonoccurrence of any accidents, the event was deemed a success.

  • The nonoccurrence of the expected meeting left everyone confused about the next steps.

Synonyms

absence
vsnonoccurrence
216 2.1

A lack of someone or something that should be there

is about an expected event that did not start as planned
inexistence
vsnonoccurrence
8.9

A state when something is not there or real

is about an expected action that did not begin or continue

Antonyms

116 3.6

Something that happens, often an event or incident

How Often

infrequency
1 8.3
nonoccurrence
7.9

Surface Forms

nonoccurrence singular

Morphology

nonoccurrence = occurrence (transparent) = non + occur + ence

The productive negative prefix 'non-' applied to 'occurrence' straightforwardly yields 'absence/failure to happen', a meaning easily inferable by learners.

Etymology

Nonoccurrence is made of non- meaning 'not' and occur meaning 'to happen'. So a nonoccurrence is simply something 'not happening' or the absence of an expected event.