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单词 chance
释义

chancen.adj.adv.

Brit. /tʃɑːns/, /tʃans/, U.S. /tʃæns/
Forms: Middle English cheance, Middle English cheaunce, Middle English Scottish chanss, Middle English–1600s chaunce, Middle English chauns(e, chanse, Middle English chawnce, Middle English–1500s chans, Middle English– chance.
Etymology: Middle English chea(u)nce , < Old French cheance (= Provençal cazensa , Italian cadenza ) < late Latin cadentia falling, < cadent- falling, present participle of cadĕre to fall: compare cadence n.
A. n.
1.
a. The falling out or happening of events; the way in which things fall out; fortune; case.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > occurrence > [noun] > occurring or happening
chance1297
befallingc1374
betidingc1374
occasionc1390
happening1431
turna1475
event1601
cadence1603
turning up1628
eveniencya1646
cadency1647
coming1651
occurrence1725
eventuation1728
encounter1870
occurrency1920
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 465 To come..to helpe is moder, that was her ofte in feble chaunce.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 10690 Þe biscop þam þe chauns tald, Qui he did þam sembled be.
1528 T. More Dialogue Heresyes iv, in Wks. 273/1 As he would haue made ye contrary choyse, if he had foresene in them the contrary chaunce.
1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia ii. sig. Jv If chaunce be that..the stoore encrease.
1870 W. C. Bryant tr. Homer Iliad II. xviii. 388 The chance of war Is equal, and the slayer oft is slain.
b. A happening or occurrence of things in a particular way; a casual or fortuitous circumstance; = accident n. 5a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > [noun] > chance or fortuitous circumstance
hazard1340
accidencea1393
a venture's strokec1450
chance1487
contingent1548
circumstance1599
lotterya1616
accidency1645
by-accident1648
frisk1665
accidentala1834
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xx. 58 Fesnyng of frendschip and of pese, That neuir for na chanse [1489 Adv. chaunc] suld cese.
15.. Cokwolds Daunce 105 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. I. 43 That was thruȝht a chans.
1606 Bp. J. Hall Heauen vpon Earth xviii. 130 It is a chance if euer riches were good to any.
1611 Bible (King James) 1 Sam. vi. 9 It was a chance that happened to vs. View more context for this quotation
1833 H. Martineau Loom & Lugger ii. i. 5 'Tis a curious chance that the looms should be all four quiet.
1884 R. W. Church Bacon 112 It was a chance that the late Chief-Justice and his wife..did not meet on the road.
2. (with plural) A matter which falls out or happens; a fortuitous event or occurrence; often, an unfortunate event, mishap, mischance; = accident n. 5b, 8a archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > [noun] > chance or fortuitous event
adventure?c1225
hapc1275
chancea1300
fortunea1375
accidenta1398
casualtya1513
to-fall1562
withfall1562
casual1566
casuality1574
stour1583
upcasta1616
contingency1620
haphazard1651
contingence1660
unaccountable1789
happen-so1816
happenchance1847
happenstance1857
the world > action or operation > adversity > calamity or misfortune > [noun] > misfortune or ill-luck > instance of misfortune or ill-luck > a mishap or unlucky accident
mistideOE
unhapc1230
chancea1300
mischancec1325
mishapa1387
accident?1490
casualtya1513
shrewd turn1565
casuality1574
misaccident1620
mishanter1754
contretemps1809
bust-up1841
pratfall1941
snafu1943
a1300 Cursor Mundi 28055 Mani sinful chances þat mai fall.
c1300 Beket 2494 Al his cheänces that he hadde By Tywesdai hi come.
1460 Pol. Rel. & L. Poems (1866) 199 If þou wolt..charite kepe in eche chaunce.
1529 T. More in W. B. Scoones Four Cent. Eng. Lett. (1880) 12 There shall no poore neighbour of mine bere no losse by any chance happened in my house.
1549 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16267) Svpper of the Lorde f. cxxxiiv All the chaunges and chaunces of thys mortall lyfe.
1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 656 The bearing well of all calamities, All chances incident to mans frail life. View more context for this quotation
1709 J. Strype Ann. Reformation xxxii. 330 A lamentable chance happened. Sir Tho. Finch..taking ship at Rye..[was] lost with the ship.
1859 Ld. Tennyson Enid in Idylls of King 88 You surely have endured Strange chances.
†3.
a. That which befalls a person; (one's) hap, fortune, luck, lot. Obsolete or archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > necessity > fate or destiny as determining events > [noun] > that which is ordained by fate > personal destiny or one's lot
lotOE
chance1297
fallc1300
weirds1320
cuta1340
fatec1374
vie1377
parta1382
foredoom1563
event1577
allotment1586
fatality1589
kincha1600
lines1611
fortunea1616
dispensation1704
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 14 Hym þouȝte þe ymage in hys slep tolde hym hys cheance.
c1374 G. Chaucer Anelida & Arcite 345 My destinye or chaunce.
1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II. Col. i. f. iv It hath not yet hitherto been my chaunce to see you.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) iii. iv. 159 If it be thy chance to kill me. View more context for this quotation
1664 J. Playford Brief Introd. Skill Musick (ed. 4) i. 70 It was my chance lately to be in Company with three Gentlemen.
b. in the game of Hazard.
ΚΠ
c1386 G. Chaucer Pardoner's Tale 325 Seuene is my chaunce, and thyn is cynk and treye.
4.
a. An opportunity that comes in any one's way. Often const. of. Also pregnantly = chance or opportunity of escape, acquittal, or the like. (Often passing into sense A. 5)
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > an opportunity > [noun]
chance1297
occasiona1382
leisurec1386
opportunitya1387
advantage1487
portunity1516
in the nick1565
mean1592
vantage?1592
occasionet1593
overture1610
hinta1616
largeness1625
convenience1679
tid1721
opening1752
offer1831
slant1837
show1842
showing1852
show-up1883
window of opportunity1942
op1978
the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > [noun] > chance or opportunity
chance1297
occasiona1382
opportunitya1387
fair play?a1500
main chance1577
venturea1625
opening1752
ettle1768
slant1837
sporting chance1897
open go1918
a fair crack of the whip1929
the world > action or operation > safety > escape > [noun] > opportunity of escape
repeal1594
chance1888
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 468 The king let Henri is sone, as God ȝef the cheaunce, Lowis doȝter spousi.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) v. v. 226 I That haue this Golden chance, and know not why. View more context for this quotation
1725 N. Robinson New Theory of Physick 254 The Cholera..gives the Patient scarce a single Chance for his Life, if those Symptoms are not speedily mitigated.
1774 E. Burke Corr. (1844) I. 470 A change of climate is his only chance.
1843 T. Carlyle Past & Present iii. xv. 310 Thou hadst one chance, thou wilt never have another.
1869 J. Martineau Ess. Philos. & Theol. 2nd Ser. 3 Hitherto the moral sciences have had no fair chance.
1883 ‘G. Lloyd’ Ebb & Flow II. 153 This is the second chance Milly's thrown away.
1885 Manch. Examiner 6 May 5/1 A peace which is not cemented with blood has the best chance of permanency.
1888 J. Bryce Amer. Commonw. III. xciii. 296 In prosecutions for gambling or the sale of intoxicants a defendant had no chance before them [sc. a jury composed of women].
b. A quantity or number; used with adjectives, as fine, nice, smart. U.S. dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > [noun] > a quantity or amount
fother13..
minda1325
quantitya1325
bodya1500
qt.1640
volume1702
some deal1710
lot1789
chance1805
mess1809
grist1832
jag1834
mense1841
1805 J. Ordway Jrnl. 8 Dec. (1916) 316 The men returned with a fine chance of Elk meat.
1819 D. Thomas Trav. Western Country 230 A considerable quantity is expressed by a smart chance; and our hostess at Madison said there was a smart chance of Yankees in that village.
1843 ‘R. Carlton’ New Purchase I. xiv. 107 She..pulled off what she called ‘a right smart chance of rattles’.
1878 J. H. Beadle Western Wilds xiv. 212 Fine chance o' corn planted, an' doin' well.
1888 ‘C. E. Craddock’ Broomsedge Cove xiv. 250 I've been huntin' guinea-hens' aigs... I fund a right smart chance of 'em.
1939 These are our Lives (Federal Writers' Project, U.S.) 68 I have a nice chance o' chickens.
c. Cricket. An opportunity of dismissing a batter, given to a fieldsman by the batter's faulty play; chiefly in to give a chance.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > dismissal of batsman > [noun] > chance
chance1832
1832 Brighton Gaz. 19 July 3/4 Mr. J. W. Osborne..did not give a chance, and was not put out in either innings.
1875 Field 8 May 458/3 The batsman..gave an easy chance to Mr. Grace off his own bowling.
1883 Standard 3 Aug. 6/5 The second half of his innings was disfigured by two chances.
1899 W. G. Grace Cricketing Reminisc. 241 A matter of a few inches converts a chance into a boundary hit.
1929 A. A. Milne Those were the Days 732 I hear already long-on insisting It wasn't a chance that came to hand.
1970 Guardian 4 May 25/6 Lloyd's innings also contained some risks, but he never gave a real chance until he was out.
d. A space of time. U.S. dialect.
ΚΠ
1845 W. G. Simms Wigwam & Cabin 1st Ser. 45 Well, there I stood, a pretty considerable chance, looking and wondering and onbeknowing what to do.
5.
a. A possibility or probability of anything happening: as distinct from a certainty: often in plural, with a number expressed.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > possibility > [noun] > a possible thing or circumstance
possibilityc1460
perhapsa1535
potential1587
potentiality1587
maybe1598
contingencya1626
contingent1655
conceivable1659
possiblea1674
conceptiblea1676
cogitable1678
chance1778
it's an idea1841
may1849
might1850
thought1857
possibly1881
shot1923
1778 T. Jones Hoyle's Games Improved 153 I would know how many Chances there are upon 2 Dice..The Answer is 36.
1841–4 R. W. Emerson Ess. xix, in Wks. (1906) I. 239 Unless the chances are a hundred to one that he will cut and harvest it.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 215 There was no chance that..the scheme..would be supported by a majority.
1879 J. Lubbock Sci. Lect. i. 7 The chances against any given grain reaching the pistil of another flower are immense.
b. Mathematics. = probability n.; so also theory or doctrine of chances.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > probability or statistics > [noun] > probability
probability1692
chance1785
posterior probability1921
prior probability1921
transition probability1922
1785 T. Reid Ess. Intellect. Powers 626 The doctrine of chances is a branch of mathematics little more than an hundred years old.
6. Absence of design or assignable cause, fortuity; often itself spoken of as the cause or determiner of events, which appear to happen without the intervention of law, ordinary causation, or providence; = accident n. 7.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > [noun]
i-wonc1275
casec1300
adventurec1325
hap1340
accidencea1393
casualty1423
chefe1440
fortunityc1470
enchance?a1475
accidentc1485
chance1526
contingencec1530
lottery1570
casuality1574
chanceableness1581
contingency1623
fortuitiona1641
fortuitness1643
accidentalness1648
accidentality1651
fortuitousness1652
causelessnessa1660
temerity1678
fortuitya1747
spontaneity1751
felicity1809
accidentiality1814
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. DDDiiii In cases of chaunce or vncertenty.
1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 160 b Those whiche..doe committe the successes of thynges to happe hazard, and blynd chaunce.
1652 R. Brome Joviall Crew ii. sig. F3v I ha' not so much Wealth to weigh me down, Nor so little (I thank Chance) as to daunce naked.
1722 W. Wollaston Relig. of Nature v. 83 Chance seems to be only a term, by which we express our ignorance of the cause of any thing.
1802 W. Paley Nat. Theol. xii. 239 A conformation so happy was not the gift of chance.
1841–4 R. W. Emerson Ess. xiv, in Wks. (1906) I. 183 The ancients, struck with this irreducibleness of the elements of human life to calculation, exalted Chance into a divinity.
1846 J. S. Mill Syst. Logic (ed. 2) iii. xvii. §2 It is incorrect to say that any phenomenon is produced by chance; but we may say that two or more phenomena are conjoined by chance..meaning that they are in no way related through causation.
B. adj.
That occurs or is by chance; happening to be such; casual, incidental.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > [adjective]
byc1050
casualc1374
fortuitc1374
fortunelc1374
fortunousc1374
causelessc1386
adventurousc1405
accidental1502
fortunable1509
happya1522
chanceable1549
occasional1569
accidentary1581
emergent1593
streave1598
contingent1604
happening1621
incidental1644
lucky1648
sporadical1654
temerarious1660
spontaneous1664
incidentarya1670
chance1676
antrin?1725
fortuitous1806
sporadic1821
windfall1845
chanced1853
blind1873
happenchance1905
happenstance1905
1676 in Court Leet Rec. Manch. (1888) VI. 15 John Sherdley Butcher for sellinge of two chance cowes vis. viiid.
1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 10 My Dealings were..not by a Shop or Chance Trade.
1732 True & Faithful Narr. in J. Swift Misc. III. ii. 255 There were five chance Auditors.
1833 H. Martineau Tale of Tyne i. 2 The chance amusements of former days.
1860 W. Collins Woman in White iii. i. 427 I parted with my chance companion.
1868 I. Saxon Five Years Golden Gate 181 Chance gains.
1883 ‘G. Lloyd’ Ebb & Flow II. 77 A chance paragraph in a book.
C. adv.
By chance, perchance, haply. archaic.In some of the examples chance may be a verb.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > [adverb]
feringc1000
feringlya1300
by casec1300
chancefully1303
lotc1325
peradventurec1325
of chance1330
happilya1375
in hapa1375
upon hapsa1375
casuallyc1384
perchancec1387
chancely1389
by fortune1390
haplyc1390
by (also of) adventurea1393
percasea1393
adventurelyc1400
percase1402
accidently?a1425
adventurously1440
by (good, lucky, etc.) hap?a1450
accidentally1528
chanceably1559
bechance1569
chance1595
casual-wise1601
accidental1622
occasionally1622
fortuitouslya1652
contingently1668
by chance1669
chanceable1709
per-hazard1788
chance-wise1844
1595 ‘J. Dando’ & ‘H. Runt’ Maroccus Extaticus 20 I may chance of these and more leave a deeper print.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 ii. i. 12 It may chaunce cost some of vs our liues. View more context for this quotation
1704 J. Swift Full Acct. Battel between Bks. in Tale of Tub 276 If chance her Geese be scattered o'er the Common.
1818 Ld. Byron Childe Harold: Canto IV lxvii. 36 While, chance, some scatter'd water-lily sails.
1848 J. R. Lowell Biglow Papers 1st Ser. Notices 2 Lest some mischief may chance befall them.

Phrases

P1. by chance:
a. As it falls or fell out; without design; casually, accidentally, incidentally, haply; by any chance = perchance adv. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > possibility > [adverb] > by any chance
peradventurec1325
percase1402
perchancea1425
perhapsc1520
anauntrins1676
by any chance1914
c1315 Shoreham 60 And ȝef the man other that wyf By cheaunce doumbe were.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Sam. i. 6 I came by chaunce vnto mount Gelboa.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 108 Pelleus..hade a wyfe..Tetyda she heght: Þes gret in þere gamyn gate hom betwene, Achilles, by chaunce.
1559 W. Baldwin et al. Myrroure for Magistrates Suffolk xxiv. 4 Encountred me upon the seas by chaunce.
a1568 R. Ascham Scholemaster (1570) ii. f. 48v Not obiter and bichance, but purposelie.
1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. H3 Somtime by chance a blind man may catch a hare.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 126. ¶8 If by Chance the Coachman stopped at a wrong Place.
1875 H. E. Manning Internal Mission of Holy Ghost ii. 41 Some book that you picked up, as you say, by chance.
1914 ‘I. Hay’ Knight on Wheels x Are you engaged to be married, by any chance?
†b. Perchance, perhaps, maybe. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > possibility > [adverb] > perhaps
is wenc897
wen isc897
peradventurec1300
peradventurec1325
perchancec1350
uphapa1375
percasea1393
lightly1395
in casea1398
maybea1400
may chancea1400
may-falla1400
may-fortunea1400
may-tidea1400
perhapa1464
happen1487
perhapsc1520
percase1523
ablea1525
by chance1526
mayhap1533
fortunea1535
belikelya1551
haps1570
mayhappen1577
perhappen1578
possibly1600
not impossibly1667
ables1673
aunters1673
aiblins1720
p'rapsa1745
aunterens1825
mebbe1825
yes-no1898
yimkin1925
ja-nee1937
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Bvii Thou mayst lese thy goodes..and also by chaunce the helth of thy body.
†c. At random, anyhow. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > [adverb]
feringc1000
feringlya1300
by casec1300
chancefully1303
lotc1325
peradventurec1325
of chance1330
happilya1375
in hapa1375
upon hapsa1375
casuallyc1384
perchancec1387
chancely1389
by fortune1390
haplyc1390
by (also of) adventurea1393
percasea1393
adventurelyc1400
percase1402
accidently?a1425
adventurously1440
by (good, lucky, etc.) hap?a1450
accidentally1528
chanceably1559
bechance1569
chance1595
casual-wise1601
accidental1622
occasionally1622
fortuitouslya1652
contingently1668
by chance1669
chanceable1709
per-hazard1788
chance-wise1844
1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. i. i. 29 From the given Point C, to the Line AB, draw a Line by chance.
†P2. in, through, with chance: = by chance (see Phrases 1a). of chance: (a) = by chance ( Phrases 1a); (b) = on the chance (10). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > [adverb]
feringc1000
feringlya1300
by casec1300
chancefully1303
lotc1325
peradventurec1325
of chance1330
happilya1375
in hapa1375
upon hapsa1375
casuallyc1384
perchancec1387
chancely1389
by fortune1390
haplyc1390
by (also of) adventurea1393
percasea1393
adventurelyc1400
percase1402
accidently?a1425
adventurously1440
by (good, lucky, etc.) hap?a1450
accidentally1528
chanceably1559
bechance1569
chance1595
casual-wise1601
accidental1622
occasionally1622
fortuitouslya1652
contingently1668
by chance1669
chanceable1709
per-hazard1788
chance-wise1844
1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 59 Þer fader & þei o chance togider gan mete.
1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 207 Þe kyng..atires him gode nauie Tille Inglond, ochance to wynne it with maistrie.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 1514 Cayme he sloghe wiþ [Trin. Cambr. bi] chance.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 7171 Thoru chance he fand an assban.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 6771 If þis ahut be stoln in [Fairf. wiþ] chanse.
†P3. for any chance: for anything that might happen, in any event, anyhow, ever. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > circumstance or circumstances > [adverb] > in any case
algatec1330
for any chancea1400
at (also in) all events1550
howsoever1586
in any event1692
oncea1715
whether or no1784
for any sake1824
at any event1838
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 245 Seldom was for ani chance Englis tong preched in france.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 5575 May na mon for nankin chaunce for-do þat lordes puruyaunce.
P4. on the chance: acting on the chance or possibility (of or that…); see sense A. 5.
P5. to take one's chance:
Thesaurus »
a. to take what may befall one, submit to whatever may happen; to ‘risk it’. So †to stand to one's chance (obsolete), to stand one's chance.
b. To seize one's opportunity (see A. 4).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > an opportunity > have opportunity [verb (intransitive)] > take opportunity
when the pig is offered (also proffered), hold open the pokea1325
to strike while (also when) the iron is hotc1405
to take occasion1561
to take one's chance1791
a1300 Land Cokaygne 184 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 161 Ye stond to yure cheance.
c1325 Lai le Freine 107 Me is best take mi chaunce.
1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 27v Wishinge rather to stande to thy chaunce, then to the choyse of any other.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice ii. i. 38 You must take your chaunce . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) i. i. 151 Brother, take you my land, Ile take my chance . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) iv. ii. 384 Wilt take thy chance with me? View more context for this quotation
1720 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad V. xxi. 343 Hector alone shall stand his fatal Chance, and Hector's Blood shall smoke upon thy Lance.
1791 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse §98 To take the chance of the morning's tide.
1813 J. Austen Pride & Prejudice I. ii. 10 Mrs. Long and her neices must stand their chance.
1847 Ld. Tennyson Princess iii. 53 We had limed ourselves With open eyes, and we must take the chance.
1928 Times of India 28 Sept. 8 The well-trained Indian ought to stand his chance, and..if a particular Indian is a better servant than a particular Anglo-Indian, the Anglo-Indian ought not to stand in his way.
c. to take a chance or chances: to take a risk or risks. Originally U.S.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > chance [verb (intransitive)] > run a risk or take one's chance
to take one's chancec1325
to take penancec1400
to throw at allc1400
to buy a pig (in Scotl. a cat) in a poke1546
to throw the helve after the hatchet1546
to set (up) one's rest1579
to give the adventure1607
to make a shaft or a bolt of ita1616
to run a fortune1627
to run for luck1799
to go the vole1816
chance1863
to chance one's arm1889
to take a chance or chances1902
gamble1919
1902 S. G. Fisher True Hist. Amer. Revol. 311 Washington thought himself justified in taking the chances rather than abandon New York without a blow.
1904 N.Y. Evening Post 24 Oct. 12 Passengers on stalled trains took chances with the third rail, and getting off walked to the nearest station.
1912 H. Croly Marcus Alonzo Hanna 99 In the beginning he may have taken some long chances in order to accelerate the progress of the firm.
1930 L. G. D. Acland Early Canterbury Runs x. 247 Caverhill tried to get them into a paddock with a rowdy bull, but they noticed just in time that he was not taking any chances himself.
1931 J. T. Adams Epic of Amer. vii. 187 The American had always been ‘taking a chance’.
P6. the main chance: see main chance n.
P7. to stand a (good, poor, small, etc.) chance; to stand some (or little, no) chance): to be likely to meet with some (specified or implied) piece of fortune, some danger, some good or ill luck. Const. of (something, doing something), for.
ΚΠ
1725 New Canting Dict. at Lay He stands a queer Lay; He stands an odd Chance, or is in great Danger.
1736 T. Lediard Life Marlborough I. 319 The Duke stood a very ticklish Chance.
1770 L. Carter Diary 19 Oct. (1965) I. 513 Tobacco..which I have had pickt out and rehanged and carried to the tobacco house, where they stand a Better chance of being taken notice of as they cure.
1796 J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) II. 108 He..hardly stood a chance of becoming a beggar.
1803 Pic Nic No. 13. 4 They stood a fair chance of going to hell.
1845 M. Pattison in Christian Remembrancer Jan. 78 Under such circumstances an obnoxious criminal stood..small chance of justice.
1848 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 9 ii. 281 He would have stood a fair chance for a prize.
1861 Temple Bar 2 539 Grey will stand no chance.
1885 Manch. Examiner 12 Nov. 5/1 The Ministry..stand a good chance of seeing themselves reduced to insignificance.
1889 F. C. Philips Young Ainslie's Courtship I. vii. 100 He would stand no chance over the snow against your snow-shoes.
2010 S. Junger War ii. vi. 153 Some of the Afghans were firing from the hip even though they didn't stand a chance of hitting anything that way.

Compounds

C1. Usually in attributive or adverbial relation (cf. sense B.), with the sense ‘by chance, casual, casually’.
a. As chance-comer, chance-hit, chance-hurt, chance-shot nouns.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > [noun] > person or thing that comes by chance
chance-comer1667
visitant1743
come-by-chance1876
1667 Second Advice in Second & Third Advice to Painter 9 A chance-shot sooner took, than chance him rais'd.
1709 Ld. Shaftesbury Moralists iii. ii. 229 A Chance-hurt? an Accident against Thought, or Intention?
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 131. ¶8 A Man..does not care for sacrificing an Afternoon to every Chance-comer.
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian xii, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. III. 320 Jeanie's last chance-hit..obliterated the ill impression which had arisen from the first.
1832 C. Lyell Princ. Geol. (ed. 2) II. 77 A variety of species may..thrive there and then perish, and be followed by other chance-comers like themselves.
b. As chance-come, chance-correct, chance-dropped, chance-given, chance-meeting, chance-met, chance-poised, chance-ravelled, chance-seen, chance-sown, chance-taken, chance-won adjs.
ΚΠ
1623 W. Drummond Cypresse Groue in Flowres of Sion 54 Imaginarie Cities raised in the Skie by chance-meeting Cloudes.
1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake ii. 70 No sapling, chance-sown by the fountain.
1811 P. B. Shelley Let. 15 Dec. (1964) I. 207 My chance-given property.
1835 T. N. Talfourd Ion i. i Liberal words chance-dropped.
1882 W. B. Scott Poet's Harvest Home 36 Ears..Chance-hearing that fate-laden song.
1887 S. Smiles Life & Labour 153 By some chance-correct reply.
1887 R. A. Proctor Chance & Luck 162 Greed for chance-won wealth.
1892 R. Kipling Lett. of Trav. (1920) 100 Young men—chance-met in the streets.
1901 R. Kipling Kim vii. 176 A chance-met Rajah's elephant.
1923 E. Blunden To Nature 44 Formed not These the chance-come charm that bade me worship then?
1923 R. Kipling Irish Guards in Great War I. p. viii A chance-seen act of bravery.
1925 J. Gregory Bab of Backwoods i. 9 Here, chance-given, was Farley's opportunity.
C2. See also chance-medley n.
chance-bairn n. an illegitimate child.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > kinsman or relation > child > [noun] > illegitimate child
avetrolc1300
bastardc1330
misbegetc1330
whoresonc1330
horcop14..
get?a1513
misbegotten1546
misbegot1558
mamzer1562
base1571
bantling1593
by-blow1595
by-chopa1637
by-scape1646
by-slipa1670
illegitimate1673
stall-whimper1676
love brata1700
slink1702
child, son of shame1723
babe of love1728
adulterine1730
come-by-chance?1750
byspel1781
love-child1805
come-o'-will1815
chance-child1838
chance-bairn1863
side-slip1872
fly-blow1875
catch colt1901
illegit1913
outside child1930
1863 J. C. Atkinson Provinc. Danby Chance-bairn, an illegitimate child.
chance-child n.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > kinsman or relation > child > [noun] > illegitimate child
avetrolc1300
bastardc1330
misbegetc1330
whoresonc1330
horcop14..
get?a1513
misbegotten1546
misbegot1558
mamzer1562
base1571
bantling1593
by-blow1595
by-chopa1637
by-scape1646
by-slipa1670
illegitimate1673
stall-whimper1676
love brata1700
slink1702
child, son of shame1723
babe of love1728
adulterine1730
come-by-chance?1750
byspel1781
love-child1805
come-o'-will1815
chance-child1838
chance-bairn1863
side-slip1872
fly-blow1875
catch colt1901
illegit1913
outside child1930
1838 C. Dickens Oliver Twist I. v. 73 No chance-child was he, for he could trace his genealogy all the way back to his parents.
chance lot n. a lot (of land or other commodity) constituted not by design, but as an incident of other operations.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > merchandise > [noun] > load or lot of specific size or abundance
ladec897
cheapc1384
shock1582
commodity1592
allotment1703
piece1774
break1864
lot1872
bulka1888
chance lot1888
trucklot1943
1888 Scotsman 8 Feb. 3/6 Chance-lot Feus, convenient to Cars and N.B. and Cal. Railway.
chance-wise adv. by chance, casually.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > [adverb]
feringc1000
feringlya1300
by casec1300
chancefully1303
lotc1325
peradventurec1325
of chance1330
happilya1375
in hapa1375
upon hapsa1375
casuallyc1384
perchancec1387
chancely1389
by fortune1390
haplyc1390
by (also of) adventurea1393
percasea1393
adventurelyc1400
percase1402
accidently?a1425
adventurously1440
by (good, lucky, etc.) hap?a1450
accidentally1528
chanceably1559
bechance1569
chance1595
casual-wise1601
accidental1622
occasionally1622
fortuitouslya1652
contingently1668
by chance1669
chanceable1709
per-hazard1788
chance-wise1844
1844 A. W. Kinglake Eothen xviii. 293 He..lets him rave for a season, but all chance-wise, of people, and things once dear.
1861 Wheat & Tares 388 If I died, sir, I should not like her to hear of it chance-wise.

Derivatives

chance-like adj.
ΚΠ
1851 H. Melville Moby-Dick lix. 309 An unearthly, formless, chance-like apparition of life.

Draft additions January 2002

is there any chance of ——? and variants: (in direct and indirect questions) is —— likely or possible? what hope is there of ——? Frequently used (esp. colloquial in shortened form: any chance of ——?) as an active attempt to persuade or cajole: may I have ——?
ΚΠ
1782 F. Burney Cecilia II. iv. vii. 222 He would at least acquaint her other guardians with what had passed, whose business it would be to enquire if there was any chance of redress.
1819 W. Scott Bride of Lammermoor I. vii Well, Caleb, my old friend, is there any chance of supper?
1882 R. Jefferies Bevis III. iii. 50 ‘Any chance of our being taken off and rescued?’ ‘Not the least.’
1914 J. Joyce Dubliners 155 ‘Is there any chance of a drink itself?’ asked Mr O'Connor.
1946 F. Cook Mrs. Palmer's Honey vi. 60 From his inner pocket he brought out some note cards... ‘Any chance of a preview?’ Tom asked. ‘None whatever.’
1968 C. Bukowski Let. 23 Sept. in Screams from Balcony (1998) 335 I wonder if there is any chance of getting hold of these, preferably in the original?
1979 Economist 20 Jan. 89 (caption) Any chance of some leadership?
1991 M. Ripley Angel Hunt 35 ‘Any chance of a lift?’ I said OK and we wandered out.
1999 C. Aherne et al. Royle Family Scripts: Series 2 (2000) Episode 3. 66 Is there any chance of a brew here?.. I'm bloody gagging.

Draft additions January 2002

British colloquial. chance would be a fine thing and variants: it would be good if something (stated or implied) were true or likely, but it is not; the opportunity is unlikely to arise.Typically used as a rejoinder, expressing rueful or ironic resignation.
ΚΠ
1912 W. S. Houghton Hindle Wakes I. i. 21 Why didn't you get wed?.. There is plenty would have had you. Chance is a fine thing. Happen I wouldn't have wed them.
1950 W. Graham Jeremy Poldark ii. iv. 240 What man did not at some time or another glance elsewhere; and who could complain if it remained at a glance? (Chance was a fine thing).
1969 Times 26 Apr. 22/4 Perhaps it is only cowards and slaves who say that ‘chance would be a fine thing’.
1982 M. Leigh Goose-pimples ii, in Abigail's Party & Goose-pimples (1983) 133 You can't say we're exactly involved, you and me, can you, eh?.. Not yet, anyway. Eh? Chance'd be a fine thing, eh?
1991 M. Nicholson Martha Jane & Me (1992) xxiv. 196 He would slap her on the bottom and say, ‘Chance would be a fine thing, eh Martha?’
2001 Guardian (Nexis) 30 July (Office Hours) 2 To sleep, perchance to dream... Well, chance would be a fine thing.

Draft additions January 2002

Chiefly British. to be in with a chance and variants: to have a chance of success or victory.
ΚΠ
1929 M. M. Belden Dramatic Work Samuel Foote i. v. 36 While her husband was waiting for the title that would make her a countess, she fell in with a chance to become a duchess by marrying Evelyn Pierrepont, Duke of Kingston.
1982 P. Redmond Brookside (Mersey TV shooting script) (O.E.D. Archive) Episode 1. 34 Try to keep them going until the end of the season—we're in with a chance for the Association Cup this year.
1986 Independent 17 Nov. 19/4 Sir Jeremy is in with a strong chance.
1991 M. Tully No Full Stops in India (1992) ix. 268 They were going on to university, and that meant they were in with a chance of getting a government job.
1996 L. Al-Hafidh et al. Europe: Rough Guide (ed. 3) II. xiii. 649/1 Men travelling alone..may even find it impossible to get a lift. Men and women travelling together are at least in with a chance.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1889; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

chancev.

Brit. /tʃɑːns/, /tʃans/, U.S. /tʃæns/
Forms: Middle English–1500s chaunce, chaunse, Middle English–1600s chanse, 1500s– chance.
Etymology: < chance n.
1. intransitive. To come about by chance; to happen, occur, fall out, come to pass.
a. with the event as subject, expressed either by a noun preceding the verb, or by a clause following it, the verb being then preceded by it, as ‘It chanced that I saw’. archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > chance [verb (intransitive)] > come about by chance
alimpOE
fallc1175
fortunec1369
chance1393
hapa1398
to fall profitc1475
adventurec1540
to fall out1556
befall1591
befortunea1616
happen1833
random1921
the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > chance [verb (intransitive)] > run a risk or take one's chance
to take one's chancec1325
to take penancec1400
to throw at allc1400
to buy a pig (in Scotl. a cat) in a poke1546
to throw the helve after the hatchet1546
to set (up) one's rest1579
to give the adventure1607
to make a shaft or a bolt of ita1616
to run a fortune1627
to run for luck1799
to go the vole1816
chance1863
to chance one's arm1889
to take a chance or chances1902
gamble1919
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 163 Flaterie passeth alle..For upon thilke lot it chaunceth To be beloved now a day.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Mark ii. f. xlvj It chaunsed that he went thorowe the corne feldes.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Phil. i. 19 Ye same shal chaunce to my Saluacion.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 13777 When Troylus..was turnyt to ground By Achilles, as chaunset of þat choise kyng.
1546 Primer Hen. VIII 122 Let a more plenteous fruitfulnes chaunce.
1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. i. f. 57 All thinges that chaunce in heauen and earth.
1577 R. Holinshed Chron. II. 300/1 This slaughter chanced on a Saturday.
1611 Bible (King James) 1 Cor. xv. 37 Bare graine, it may chance of wheat. View more context for this quotation
1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering II. 153 Three days ago chanced an occurrence, of a nature which alarmed me.
1863 A. W. Kinglake Invasion of Crimea II. iii. 74 Whenever it chanced that the feelings of the people were roused.
†b. followed by an indirect object (dative); the event being expressed as in sense 1a, or by infinitive following it. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1535 G. Joye Apol. Tindale 46 Yt chaunced me to turne here and there.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 12305 Pollexena..Thurgh whom Achilles, þe choise kyng, chansit his end.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 122 It chaunced him that as he passed through Oxfoorde, the schollers picked a quarrell vnto his seruauntes.
1581 J. Marbeck Bk. Notes & Common Places 6 All those things that should chance him.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. ii. sig. B4v At last him chaunst to meete vpon the way A faithlesse Sarazin.
1611 Bible (King James) Deut. xxiii. 10 By reason of vncleannesse that chanceth him. View more context for this quotation
c. with the indirect object of sense 1b changed into grammatical subject; followed by infinitive expressing the event. (e.g. ‘Him chanced to come’, ‘He chanced to come’: cf. happen adj.) Somewhat archaic.
ΚΠ
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 7701 Than Achilles with a chop chaunset to sle Philles.
1553 R. Eden in tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India Ded. sig. aaijv There chaunsed..to come to my handes, a shiete of printed paper.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) iv. i. 192 If she chance to nod, Ile raile and brawle. View more context for this quotation
1628 T. Hobbes tr. Thucydides Peloponnesian War (1822) 11 Where any discord chanced to arise.
1711 E. Budgell Spectator No. 77. ⁋6 I chanced the other Day to go into a Coffee-house.
1867 A. Trollope Last Chron. Barset II. xlvi. 23 If he chanced to be at home.
2. To happen to come, come by chance (on or upon; also formerly with other prepositions). Somewhat archaic. (Cf. happen v. 3b(b).)
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > chance [verb (intransitive)]
fallc1175
hapa1393
luckc1438
happenc1450
chance1536
to chop upon1555
hazard1575
alight1591
chop1652
lucken1674
1536 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxf. (1880) 139 He chaunced under an arche of ye bridge where ye water was very shallowe.
1548–63 J. Bale Sel. Wks. 156 But this chancellor, belike, chanced upon that blind popish work.
1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia i. sig. Fviii Chaunsynge into the company of them.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 64 At the last chaunced vpon the right key, and so opened the gate.
1630 J. Wadsworth Eng. Spanish Pilgrime (new ed.) ii. 6 Wee chanced on a..shippe..bound for Callis.
1856 J. Ruskin Mod. Painters IV. 315 Every one of the forms that Flaxman has chanced upon.
†3. To speed, have luck (of some kind). Obsolete.In quot. 1553 perhaps = to speed badly: cf. to mischance.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > occurrence > [verb (intransitive)] > fare or get on
wharvec888
timea1325
hapc1350
chancea1533
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1546) sig. Kk.viij Wryte to me..if thy wyfe Dyorsilla chaunced welle of the flote that came out of Cetin.
1553 E. Montagu Let. in T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. (1655) viii. 3 What was best to be done for the safeguard of his life, which was like to chance in that fury and great anger presently.
4.
a. transitive. To risk, venture, take one's chance of. colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > chance or risk [verb (transitive)]
hazard1567
jumpa1616
risk1660
stake1670
chance1859
1859 F. W. Farrar Eric 323 Oh! chance the towels. We can run about till we're dry.
1870 ‘A. R. Hope’ My Schoolboy Friends 77 Never mind; we'll chance it.
1879–80 Rep. Attorn. Gen. of Pennsylv. Very few would chance the pains and penalties of perjury to save a few dollars of taxes.
b. Slang phrase and chance the ducks: come what may; anyhow, anyway.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > chance [phrase] > come what may
fall what can (also may, will) fallc1225
avalȝe que valȝe1487
fall back, fall edge?1553
blow high, blow low1774
and chance the ducks1874
(come) rain or shine1905
1874 Hotten's Slang Dict. (rev. ed.) 113 Chance the ducks, an expression signifying come what may. ‘I'll do it, and chance the ducks.’
1886 Notes & Queries 7th Ser. 1 108/1 I'll do it, an' chance th' ducks.
1924 B. Gilbert Bly Market 12 ‘Mackenzie Quick says the old man's breaking up.’ ‘He wasnt last Sunday week, and chance the ducks.’
c. colloquial phrase to chance one's arm: to perform an action in the face of probable failure; to take one's chance of doing something successfully. Similarly to chance one's mit.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > chance [verb (intransitive)] > run a risk or take one's chance
to take one's chancec1325
to take penancec1400
to throw at allc1400
to buy a pig (in Scotl. a cat) in a poke1546
to throw the helve after the hatchet1546
to set (up) one's rest1579
to give the adventure1607
to make a shaft or a bolt of ita1616
to run a fortune1627
to run for luck1799
to go the vole1816
chance1863
to chance one's arm1889
to take a chance or chances1902
gamble1919
1889 A. Barrère & C. G. Leland Dict. Slang I. 236/1 Chance your arm (tailors), try, let it go, chance it.
1899 Daily News 13 Nov. 7/1 B. P. says ‘to chance your arm’ means to risk a court-martial which has the power to take all the pretty pretties off a man's sleeve. I first heard the phrase in 1886.
1919 War Slang in Athenæum 8 Aug. 728/1 ‘Chancing his mit’ means risking a great deal, or playing a losing hazard.
1926 Westm. Gaz. 7 Jan. If such people as this defendant can chance their arm in this way, amateur sport is not going to be kept pure.
1927 Daily Express 10 June 9/3 Joanna [Southcott] seems to have chanced her arm, so to speak, in her prophecy of the end of the world, which she fixes as due to happen on June 31 next.
1959 Economist 27 June 1152/2 Mr. Macmillan may have no more by-elections in this Parliament by which to judge when to chance his arm.
5. how chance was formerly used in questions for ‘how chances it that’, ‘how is (was) it that’.Here chance takes no inflection, and almost assumes the character of an adverb. Cf. chance adv.
ΚΠ
a1555 H. Latimer Frutefull Serm. (1572) ii. f. 189v How chaunce you go not to the seruice vpon the holy dayes?
a1593 C. Marlowe Edward II (1594) sig. C3 How chance this was not done before?
1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida iii. i. 134 How chance my brother Troylus went not? View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) v. v. 209 How chance you went not with Mr Slender? View more context for this quotation
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1889; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.adj.adv.1297v.1393
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