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Webster 1913 Edition

Chance

Chance

(chȧns)
,
Noun.
[F.
chance
, OF.
cheance
, fr. LL.
cadentia
a allusion to the falling of the dice), fr. L.
cadere
to fall; akin to Skr.
çad
to fall, L.
cedere
to yield, E.
cede
. Cf.
Cadence
.]
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.
It is strictly and philosophically true in nature and reason that there is no such thing as
chance
or accident; it being evident that these words do not signify anything really existing, anything that is truly an agent or the cause of any event; but they signify merely men’s ignorance of the real and immediate cause.
Samuel Clark.
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.
It was a
chance
that happened to us.
1 Sam. vi. 9.
The Knave of Diamonds tries his wily arts,
And wins (O shameful
chance
!) the Queen of Hearts.
Pope.
I spake of most disastrous
chance
.
Shakespeare
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
.
So weary with disasters, tugged with fortune.
That I would get my life on any
chance
,
To mend it, or be rid on 't
Shakespeare
5.
(Math.)
Probability.
☞ The mathematical expression, of a chance is the ratio of frequency with which an event happens in the long run. If an event may happen in a ways and may fail in b ways, and each of these a + b ways is equally likely, the chance, or probability, that the event will happen is measured by the fraction
a/
a + b
, and the chance, or probability, that it will fail is measured by
b/
a + b
.
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
,
Doctrine 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.

Chance

,
Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Chanced
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Chancing
.]
To happen, come, or arrive, without design or expectation.
“Things that chance daily.”
Robynson (More's Utopia).
If a bird's nest
chance
to be before thee.
Deut. xxii. 6.
I
chanced
on this letter.
Shakespeare
Often used impersonally; as, how chances it?
How
chance
, thou art returned so soon?
Shakespeare

Chance

,
Verb.
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.
[Obs.]
W. Lambarde.

Chance

,
Adj.
Happening by chance; casual.

Chance

,
adv.
By chance; perchance.
Gray.

Webster 1828 Edition

Chance

CHANCE

,
Noun.
1.
An event that happens, falls out or takes place, without being contrived, intended, expected or foreseen; the effect of an unknown cause, or the unusual or unexpected effect of a known cause; accident; casualty; fortuitous event; as, time and chance happen to all.
By chance a priest came down that way. Luke 10.
2.
Fortune; what fortune may bing; as, they must take their chance.
3.
An event, good or evil; success or misfortune; luck.
4.
Possibility of an occurrence; opportunity.
You ladyship may have a chance to escape this address.

CHANCE

,
Verb.
I.
To happen; to fall out; to come or arrive without design, or expectation.
If a birds nest chance to be before thee. Deut. 22.
Ah Casca, tell us what hath chanced to day.

CHANCE

,
Adj.
Happening by chance; casual; as a chance comer.

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