peradventure

[pur-uh d-ven-cher, per-]

See more synonyms for peradventure on Thesaurus.com

noun

chance, doubt, or uncertainty.
surmise.

adverb

Archaic. it may be; maybe; possibly; perhaps.

Origin of peradventure

1250–1300; Middle English per aventure < Old French. See per, adventure

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for peradventure

perhaps, probably, likely, conceivably, hit, risk, advantage, odds, break, future, lot, outcome, maybe, perchance, peradventure, fortuity, occurrence, coincidence, casualty, misfortune

Examples from the Web for peradventure

Historical Examples of peradventure

Peradventure they be gentlemen of repute, and might hit back.
American Notes
Rudyard Kipling
The danger is past, and they are safe beyond the possibility of a peradventure.
Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 3, April 16, 1870
Various
"Peradventure the prisoner can explain how he came by the document," said Justice Hide.
The Shadow of a Crime
Hall Caine
And would the men, peradventure, be wearing the livery of the House of Santafior?
The Shame of Motley
Raphael Sabatini
The peradventure of that Cassy got before he could utter it.
The Paliser case
Edgar Saltus

British Dictionary definitions for peradventure

peradventure

adverb

by chance; perhaps

noun

chance, uncertainty, or doubt

Word Origin for peradventure

C13: from Old French par aventure by chance

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for peradventure

adv.

1620s, from Middle English peraventure (mid-15c.), from per auenture (late 13c.), from Old French par aventure (see adventure). Refashioned as though from Latin.