happenstancen.adj.
/ˈhap(ə)nstans/, /ˈhap(ə)nstɑːns/, U.S. /ˈhæp(ə)nˌstæns/ Originally U.S.
A. n.
Something that happens by chance, an event or circumstance considered to be influenced by chance; chance, luck. Also: a coincidence.
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 > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > [noun] > chance or fortuitous event > coincidence
coincidencea1682
apropos1783
happenstance1857
1857 Weekly Wisconsin (Milwaukee) 18 Mar. We are informed that a ‘considerable happenstance’ occured in ‘The Woods’, a short distance north-east of this village a few days since.
1883 Elyria (Ohio) Republican 15 Nov. 5/2 This little ‘happenstance’ reminds us that ‘Joshua Whitcomb’ will be in the December programme for this city.
1916 G. O'Keeffe Let. Feb. in G. O'Keeffe & A. Pollitzer Lovingly, Georgia (1990) 144 I'll not want to see them again unless I by some accident—or happenstance I find that my bubble didn't break.
1960 J. Barth Sot-weed Factor ii. 283 The one bright happenstance of the entire period..was the news that the Moor..had been blessed by one of his victims on the brigantine with a social disease.
1990 T. McEwen McX (1991) iii. 105 Here is music, written bold in your system by fence crows. Only a happenstance but proof that music comes and goes.
2011 Guardian 29 July (Film & Music section) 13/2 In the US, the happenstance of birth conveys a magical gift upon a child—citizenship.
B. adj. (chiefly attributive).
Characterized by or resulting from chance or luck; haphazard, random; coincidental.
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
the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > [adjective] > coincidental
coincidental1884
happenstance1905
the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > [adjective] > random or haphazard
uncertain1303
casualc1460
haphazard1576
roving1577
hazardous1585
chanceful1594
firmless1605
random1655
temerarious1660
aleatory1693
contingent1703
unlawed1789
by the way1846
chancy1860
fluky1880
hitty-missy1885
perchance1891
happenchance1905
happenstance1905
willy-nilly1933
1905 Archit. Rev. Mar. 47/1 The regular treatment of the beginning of the lines is not carried out in their endings, which come very much in a ‘happenstance’ manner.
1963 D. B. Hughes Expendable Man v. 149 The abortionist hadn't killed her, he would have no need of the happenstance tool.
1965 Billboard 11 Sept. 6/2 He couldn't estimate how many [record] labels there were in LKos Angeles because their existence is so happenstance.
2002 Wall St. Jrnl. 18 Nov. r8/6 The founders of NYCBloggers found each other through a happenstance surf.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2013; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.adj.1857