peradventure


Also found in: Thesaurus, Wikipedia.
Related to peradventure: precariously, latter

per·ad·ven·ture

 (pûr′əd-vĕn′chər, pĕr′-)
adv. Archaic
Perhaps; perchance.
n.
Chance or uncertainty; doubt.
[Middle English per aventure, from Old French, by chance : per, through (from Latin; see per) + aventure, chance; see adventure.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

peradventure

(pərədˈvɛntʃə; ˌpɜːr-)
adv
by chance; perhaps
n
chance, uncertainty, or doubt
[C13: from Old French par aventure by chance]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

per•ad•ven•ture

(ˌpɜr ədˈvɛn tʃər, ˌpɛr-)

n.
1. chance, doubt, or uncertainty.
2. surmise.
adv.
3. Archaic. it may be; maybe; possibly; perhaps.
[1250–1300; Middle English per aventure < Old French. See per, adventure]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.peradventure - doubt or uncertainty as to whether something is the case; "this proves beyond peradventure that he is innocent"
doubt, doubtfulness, dubiety, dubiousness, incertitude, uncertainty - the state of being unsure of something
Adv.1.peradventure - by chanceperadventure - by chance; "perhaps she will call tomorrow"; "we may possibly run into them at the concert"; "it may peradventure be thought that there never was such a time"
maybe, mayhap, perhaps, possibly, perchance
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations

peradventure

adv (old: = perhaps) → vielleicht; if/lest peradventure → falls
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Mentioned in ?
References in classic literature ?
In life but few of them would have helped the whale, I ween, if peradventure he had needed it; but upon the banquet of his funeral they most piously do pounce.
View in context
"My finger, pointed at this man, would have hurled him from his pulpit into a dungeon, thence, peradventure, to the gallows!"
View in context
Sir, said Launcelot, I may as well find in my heart for to forbear him at this time, for he hath had travail enough this day, and when a good knight doth so well upon some day, it is no good knight's part to let him of his worship, and, namely, when he seeth a knight hath done so great labour; for peradventure, said Sir Launcelot, his quarrel is here this day, and peradventure he is best beloved with this lady of all that be here, for I see well he paineth himself and enforceth him to do great deeds, and therefore, said Sir Launcelot, as for me, this day he shall have the honour; though it lay in my power to put him from it, I would not.
View in context
My father, if a strong man can be found to do battle for my cause with sword and spear, according to the custom of the Nazarenes, and that within the lists of Templestowe, on the third day from this time, peradventure our fathers' God will give him strength to defend the innocent, and her who hath none to help her.
View in context
Yet he was capable of knowing beyond all peradventure of a doubt that three bones are more than two bones, and that ten dogs compose a more redoubtable host than do two dogs.
View in context
Containing such grave matter, that the reader cannot laugh once through the whole chapter, unless peradventure he should laugh at the author.
View in context
But the name of that family, Davie, boy, is the name you bear -- Balfours of Shaws: an ancient, honest, reputable house, peradventure in these latter days decayed.
View in context
The Sheriff thought he discovered, in the winner of the golden arrow, the person of Robin Hood without peradventure. So he sent word privately for his men-at-arms to close round the group.
View in context
we shall find him changed into a broken down old man, with garnet nose and eyes that slobber; we shall find him extended on some lawn, whence he will look at us with a languid eye and peradventure will not recognize us.
View in context
What could the worthy captain do, to console the tender-hearted old squaw, and, peradventure, to save the venerable patriarch from a curtain lecture?
View in context
The feeling, from being morbid, was changed to a healthful and active desire to emulate the character, the condition, and, peradventure, the wealth of their ancestors also.
View in context
"Only," continued the postmaster, "if you will put up with a little carriage I have, I will harness an old blind horse who has still his legs left, and peradventure will draw you to the house of M.
View in context

Dictionary browser ?
Full browser ?