Chance \Chance\ (ch[.a]ns), n. [F. chance, OF. cheance, fr. LL.
cadentia a allusion to the falling of the dice), fr. L.
cadere to fall; akin to Skr. [,c]ad 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. --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.
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. (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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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