Come what will, I will chance it. --W. D.
Howells.
2. To befall; to happen to. [Obs.] --W. Lambarde.
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.
If a bird's nest chance to be before thee. --Deut.
xxii. 6.
I chanced on this letter. --Shak.
Note: Often used impersonally; as, how chances it?
How chance, thou art returned so soon? --Shak.