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Entry 10 senses · 5 variants Webster, 1913

Chance

/(chȧns)/ · IPA /[t͡ʃʰæns]/
01 n. A supposed material or psychical agent or mode of activity other than a force, law, or purpose; fortune; fate; -- in this sense often perso…
  1. 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. 2.
    The operation or activity of such agent.
    “By chance a priest came down that way.” — Luke x. 31.
  3. 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.
    “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.
  4. 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” — Shak.
  5. 5.
    Probability.(Math.)
Phrases & compounds
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 — 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.
02 v. i. To happen, come, or arrive, without design or expectation.
imp. & p. p. Chanced; p. pr. & vb. n. Chancing
  1. 1.
    To happen, come, or arrive, without design or expectation.
    “If a bird's nest chance to be before thee.” — Deut. xxii. 6.
    “I chanced on this letter.” — Shak.
    “How chance, thou art returned so soon?” — Shak.
03 v. t. To take the chances of; to venture upon; -- usually with it as object.
  1. 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. 2.
    To befall; to happen to.[Obs.]
04 a. Happening by chance; casual.
  1. 1.
    Happening by chance; casual.
05 adv. By chance; perchance.
  1. 1.
    By chance; perchance.