Middle English Dictionary Entry

chaunce n.
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Entry Info

Forms chaunce n. Also chance, chea(u)nce, cheiance, chaunche, sha(u)nce.
Etymology OF chëa(u)nce, këanche, chance.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
(a) Something that happens or takes place; an occurrence or event, esp. one that is unexpected, unforeseen, beyond human control, or attributed to providence or destiny; nightes ~, nightfall; ~ be)falleth (bitideth, cheveth), an event occurs, it so happens; cheven ~, bring to pass; worldes ~, vicissitude of this world; (b) what ~ so bitide, whatever may happen; for ~ that may falle, no matter what happens; as God yeve the ~, as God may grant, God willing.
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2.
Something that happens (to sb.) and affects (his) circumstances for better or worse; a stroke of (good or bad) luck; god, beter ~; fel, ivel, hard ~, bad luck.
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3.
One's luck, lot, or fate (whether good or bad); god ~, ivel ~, etc.; contextually: good luck; ~ of the worlde, (one's) lot on earth; don ivel ~, cause misfortune; abiden ~, stonden to ~, taken ~, submit to (one's) fate; ~ faileth, fortune fails (one); as I have god ~; God yeve the god (ivel) ~!
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4.
(a) Something that may or may not come about or be realized; a fortuitous event or circumstance, an eventuality; vicissitude; bi ~, o ~, on the chance (that); bi ~ of armes, by luck in battle; Martis ~, the fortunes of war; taken ~, stonden to ~, take a chance or risk; (b) an incidental donation.
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5.
(a) A situation or circumstance; a case; (b) a favorable circumstance, an opportunity; chesen ~; haven no ~, have no future.
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6.
An adventure or exploit in arms; don ~, engage in the fortunes of warfare; fonden ~, seek the fortunes of warfare, make war.
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7.
(a) A force that shapes man's life on earth; (b) influence upon events, control of man's destiny, dominance.
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8.
(a) The falling of the dice, the number turning up at a throw, the number thrown; ~ of cast; ~ falleth, a number turns up; casten ~ (on des), try one's luck at dice; chesen bi ~, choose by throwing dice; (b) fig. one's fortune as predicted by the fall of the dice.
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9.
(a) bi chaunce, in ~, o ~, per ~, thurgh ~, up(on ~, with ~, by chance, accidentally; at ~, by chance, haphazardly; (b) for alle chaunce, for ~ upon erthe, in eche ~, at all events, under all or any circumstances; for ani ~, in any event, under any circumstances; for no(n ~, under no circumstances, in no way; for ~ of, because of.
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Supplemental Materials (draft)

Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. chance.

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • a1450 Treat.Horses (Sln 2584)131/604 : If an hors schuldur with styrtyng or with eny oþer chaunsse be hurte..þei..makeþ a seyne an handebrede vndur-neþe þe schuldur.
    • Note: New form: Also..chaunsse.
    Note: Quot. belongs to sense 1.(a)
Note: The list of variant spellings in the form section may be incomplete and / or may need revision to accord with standards of later volumes of the MED.--notes per MLL

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