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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

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

  • 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