Definition of Chance

Pronunciation: chåns
n.1.A supposed material or psychical agent or mode of activity other than a force, law, or purpose; fortune; fate; - in this sense often personified.
Any society into which chance might throw him.
- Macaulay.
That power
Which erring men call Chance.
- Milton.
2.The operation or activity of such agent.
By chance a priest came down that way.
- Luke x. 31.
3.The supposed effect of such an agent; something that befalls, as the result of unknown or unconsidered forces; the issue of uncertain conditions; an event not calculated upon; an unexpected occurrence; a happening; accident; fortuity; casualty.
In the field of observation, chance favors only the mind that is prepared.
- Louis Pasteur.
It was a chance that happened to us.
- 1 Sam. vi. 9.
I spake of most disastrous chance.
- Shak.
4.A possibility; a likelihood; an opportunity; - with reference to a doubtful result; as, a chance to escape; a chance for life; the chances are all against him.
5.(Math.) Probability.
Chance comer
one who comes unexpectedly.
The last chance
the sole remaining ground of hope.
The main chance
the chief opportunity; that upon which reliance is had, esp. self-interest.
Theory of chances
(Math.) that branch of mathematics which treats of the probability of the occurrence of particular events, as the fall of dice in given positions.
To mind one's chances
to take advantage of every circumstance; to seize every opportunity.
v. i.1.To happen, come, or arrive, without design or expectation.
[imp. & p. p. Chanced ; p. pr. & vb. n. Chancing.]
If a bird's nest chance to be before thee.
- Deut. xxii. 6.
How chance, thou art returned so soon?
- Shak.
v. t.1.To take the chances of; to venture upon; - usually with it as object.
Come what will, I will chance it.
- W. D. Howells.
2.To befall; to happen to.
a.1.Happening by chance; casual.
adv.1.By chance; perchance.


Related Words

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