chance
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chance,
in mathematics: see probabilityprobability,in mathematics, assignment of a number as a measure of the "chance" that a given event will occur. There are certain important restrictions on such a probability measure.
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chance
- the PROBABILITYof an event, such as the occurrence of heads or tails on the toss of a coin.
- social or physical outcomes which are unforseen and perhaps inherently unpredictable.
Coping with chance in social life is a source of MAGIC and RELIGION and the basis of important leisure forms, including games of chance and GAMBLING. See also RISK SOCIETY.
Collins Dictionary of Sociology, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2000
Chance
See also Fate.
Charity (See GENEROSITY.)
Bridoison, Taiel dejudge who casts dice to decide cases. [Fr. Lit.: Pantagruel]
lake-dwelling sorceress and personification of chance. [Ital. Lit.: Orlando Innamorato]
goddess of chance. [Rom. Myth.: Kravitz, 58]
renowned American oddsmaker. [Am. Culture: Wallechinsky, 468]
suicidal gamble involving a six-shooter, loaded with one bullet. [Folklore: Payton, 590]
god of chance. [Rom. Myth.: Espy, 42–43]
always make discoveries by accident. [Br. Lit.: Three Princes of Serendip]
oracular gems used for casting lots, set in Aaron’s breastplate. [O.T.: Exodus 28:30; Leviticus 8:8]
Allusions—Cultural, Literary, Biblical, and Historical: A Thematic Dictionary. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.