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peradventure

[pur-uh d-ven-cher, per-]
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noun
  1. chance, doubt, or uncertainty.
  2. surmise.
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adverb
  1. Archaic. it may be; maybe; possibly; perhaps.
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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

perhapsprobablylikelyconceivablyhitriskadvantageoddsbreakfuturelotoutcomemaybeperchanceperadventurefortuityoccurrencecoincidencecasualtymisfortune

Examples from the Web for peradventure

Historical Examples

  • 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.

  • "Peradventure the prisoner can explain how he came by the document," said Justice Hide.

  • 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
  1. by chance; perhaps
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noun
  1. chance, uncertainty, or doubt
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Word Origin

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.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper