Happenstance

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 [hapuh n-stans]
Spell Syllables
noun
1.

a chance happening or event.
Origin of happenstanceExpand
1895-1900

1895-1900; happen + (circum)stance

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2016.
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Examples from the Web for happenstanceExpand
Contemporary Examples
Historical Examples
  • But the happenstance habits of nature were steadily being integrated intothe control program of man.

    The Thirst Quenchers Rick Raphael
  • The German was just a happenstance, a castaway in the war for Arzachel.

    First on the Moon Jeff Sutton
  • Out of the chaos of happenstance they were finding rules of order, certain formulas of behavior, equations of force.

    Empire Clifford Donald Simak
  • This is contrasted to happenstance decision making based on impulsiveness and wishful thinking.

  • As for deceased, his ontimely evaporation that a-way is but the frootes ofhappenstance.

    Faro Nell and Her Friends Alfred Henry Lewis
British Dictionary definitions for happenstanceExpand

happenstance

/ˈhæpənˌstæns/
noun

1.

chance
2.

a chance occurrence
Collins English Dictionary – Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word Origin and History for happenstanceExpand
n.

1897, from happening + ending from circumstance.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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