Word Direct Answers

What does "chance" mean?

Chance: The operation or activity of such agent. By chance a priest came down that way. Luke x.

Additional senses

  1. 2.3. 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.
  2. 3.The Knave of Diamonds tries his wily arts, And wins (O shameful chance!) the Queen of Hearts. Pope. I spake of most disastrous chance. Shak.
  3. 4.A possibity; a likelihood; an opportunity; -- with reference to a doubtful result; as, a chance 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 Shak.
  4. 5.(Math.) Probability. Note: 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.
  5. 6.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. 7.I chanced on this letter. Shak. Note: Often used impersonally; as, how chances it How chance, thou art returned so soon Shak.
  7. 8.To take the chances of; to venture upon; -- usually with it as object. Come what will, I will chance it. W. D. Howells.
  8. 9.To befall; to happen to. [Obs.] W. Lambarde.
  9. 10.Happening by chance; casual.
  10. 11.By chance; perchance. Gray.

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