> as lemmas

?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 166 (MED) His nese & his ine he carfe at misauentoure.

a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) I. 302 All that evir thou doste is by mysseadventure and nat by proues of thy hondys.

1485 Malory's Morte Darthur (Caxton) iii. vii. sig. e^v And soo he smote of her hede by mysauenture [a1470 myssefortune].

1558 W. Forrest Hist. Grisild the Second (1875) x. 83 But God for hym had freendelye prepared As in his affayres neauer oughtys squared, By mysaduenture, to greeif of his Estate.

1595 B. Barnes Divine Cent. Spirituall Sonnets lxxxi. sig. F4 Behold (by misaduenture) how the winde From earth blowes dust and it in ayer scatter.

1621 M. Wroth Countesse of Mountgomeries Urania i. 27 His Squire return'd to the Court (after long seeking his Lord, who by misaduenture hee had lost).

1679 L. Hutchinson Order & Disorder p. ii Lest that arrive by misadventure,..that any of the pudled water, my wanton youth drew from the prophane Helicon of Ancient Poets, should be sprinkled about the world.

1820 P. B. Shelley Dante's Convito 55 If by misadventure chance should bring Thee to base company.

1873 R. Browning Red Cotton Night-cap Country ii. 113 Made aware By misadventure that his bounty..comforted a visitant.

1906 C. M. Doughty Dawn in Brit. III. ix. 15 Driving, at misadventure, they were met, Of Frisic yawls, full of fierce weaponed wights... With these, that pirates were, they fight, for life.

1995 W. Weaver tr. U. Eco Island of Day Before 389 If by misadventure the ladder at the prow had come loose, he might spend hours and hours before his death yearning for that deck he had so often wished to leave.