PERCHANCE

Pronunciation (US):

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does perchance mean? 

• PERCHANCE (adverb)
  The adverb PERCHANCE has 2 senses:

1. through chance

2. by chance

  Familiarity information: PERCHANCE used as an adverb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PERCHANCE (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Through chance

Synonyms:

by chance; perchance

Context example:

To sleep, perchance to dream...

Domain usage:

archaicism; archaism (the use of an archaic expression)

Sense 2

Meaning:

By chance

Synonyms:

maybe; mayhap; peradventure; perchance; perhaps; possibly

Context example:

it may peradventure be thought that there never was such a time

 Context examples 

Perchance it is as well, for the Company were in need of it about that time.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Your cousin Edmund moves slowly; detained, perchance, by parish duties.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Now let me say that what I would is this: while you, my Lord Godalming and friend Jonathan go in your so swift little steamboat up the river, and whilst John and Quincey guard the bank where perchance he might be landed, I will take Madam Mina right into the heart of the enemy's country.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Had I not taken up my pen to tell you a story of the land, I might, perchance, have made a better one of the sea; but the one frame cannot hold two opposite pictures.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

We go to France, and from thence I trust to Spain, in humble search of a field in which we may win advancement and perchance some small share of glory.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It would be well, perchance, that you should give him greeting from me.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“I take it,” said Ford, “that it is much as it was when you were there last, save that perchance there is a little less noise there.”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Perchance, my fair sir, he whispered, there is some small vow of which I may relieve you.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

In this way we may have sight of their army, and perchance even find occasion for some small deed against them.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It may be that I can relieve him of some vow, or perchance he hath a lady whom he would wish to advance.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)