peradventure
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Peradventure — Per ad*ven ture, adv. & conj. [OE. per aventure, F. par aventure. See {Per}, and {Adventure}.] By chance; perhaps; it may be; if; supposing. If peradventure he speak against me. Shak. [1913 Webster] Peradventure there be fifty righteous within… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Peradventure — Per ad*ven ture, n. Chance; hap; hence, doubt; question; as, proved beyond peradventure. South. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
peradventure — [pʉr΄əd ven′chər] adv. [ME perauenture < OFr par aventure < par (L per), by + aventure, a chance, ADVENTURE] Archaic 1. perhaps; possibly 2. by chance n. chance; question; doubt [beyond peradventure] … English World dictionary
peradventure — 1620s, from M.E. peraventure (mid 15c.), from per auenture (late 13c.), from O.Fr. par aventure (see ADVENTURE (Cf. adventure)). Refashioned as though from Latin … Etymology dictionary
peradventure — archaic or humorous ► ADVERB ▪ perhaps. ► NOUN ▪ uncertainty or doubt. ORIGIN from Old French per (or par) auenture by chance … English terms dictionary
peradventure — I. adverb Etymology: Middle English par aventure, from Anglo French, by chance Date: 14th century archaic perhaps, possibly II. noun Date: 1627 1. doubt < a fact established beyond peradventure > … New Collegiate Dictionary
peradventure — May May (m[=a]), v. [imp. {Might} (m[imac]t)] [AS. pres. m[ae]g I am able, pret. meahte, mihte; akin to D. mogen, G. m[ o]gen, OHG. mugan, magan, Icel. mega, Goth. magan, Russ. moche. [root]103. Cf. {Dismay}, {Main} strength, {Might}. The old imp … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
peradventure — adverb old use 1 perhaps 2 by chance: if peradventure we should meet … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
peradventure — adv. & n. archaic or joc. adv. perhaps. n. uncertainty; chance; conjecture; doubt (esp. beyond or without peradventure). Etymology: ME f. OF per or par auenture by chance (as PER, ADVENTURE) … Useful english dictionary
peradventure — /perr euhd ven cheuhr, per /, n. 1. chance, doubt, or uncertainty. 2. surmise. adv. 3. Archaic. it may be; maybe; possibly; perhaps. [1250 1300; ME per aventure < OF. See PER, ADVENTURE] * * * … Universalium
