perchance

[ per-chans, -chahns ]

adverb

1. Literary. perhaps; maybe; possibly.
2. Archaic. by chance.

perchance

/ pəˈtʃɑːns /

adverb

1. perhaps; possibly
2. by chance; accidentally

Word History and Origins

Origin of perchance¹

1300–50; Middle English, variant of par chance by chance < Anglo-French. See per, chance

Word History and Origins

Origin of perchance¹

C14: from Anglo-French par chance; see per , chance

Example Sentences

The tourist climbing tna, or Vesuvius' rugged side, puffs on though they perchance have long since ceased to smoke.

From Project Gutenberg

He always carries it about with him, and if perchance he gets out he is truly miserable.

From Project Gutenberg

Via, says Rex, meaning the road; communis is common; omnibus to all, meaning thereby—but perchance I weary you?

From Project Gutenberg

Richard felt—but perchance he was wrong—a quiver run through the Moslem; only for an instant, if at all.

From Project Gutenberg

I gasped for breath while he replied, lest I should perchance have to hear of further misfortune.

From Project Gutenberg