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# peradventure

adverb (old use)

«peradventure» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition and Early Modern English — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

Perhaps, maybe; a word from old stories, used when someone is not sure. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/peradventure/#m1)

### In the lessons

in old tales a way of saying perhaps, often in a warning or a wish

### Examples

- Whenever I go against the wind my eyes will water, and peradventure my head will burn. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/peradventure/#x1)

### Note

nothing for maths

## In Jewish tradition

It means "perhaps" or "in case", as when Abraham bargains with God over Sodom.

**Interpretation.** Abraham's repeated "peradventure" shows him daring to plead for the city. The rabbis saw it as a model of caring for others.

### Examples

- And I said unto my master: Peradventure the woman will not follow me. (Torah GEN.24.39, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/peradventure/#x1)
- Peradventure ten shall be found there.' And He said: 'I will not destroy it for the ten's sake.' (Torah GEN.18.32, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/peradventure/#x2)
- But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said: 'Lest peradventure harm befall him.' (Torah GEN.42.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/peradventure/#x3)
- And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites: 'Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a covenant with you?' (Prophets JOS.9.7, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/peradventure/#x4)
- And David said unto Ahimelech: 'And is there peradventure here under thy hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste.' (Prophets 1SA.21.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/peradventure/#x5)
- 'Inquire, I pray thee, of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us; peradventure the LORD will deal with us according to all His wondrous works, that he may go up from us.' (Prophets JER.21.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/peradventure/#x6)

### Note

nothing for maths

## Early Modern English

### Meaning

Perhaps; by chance; used when you are not sure. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/P/peradventure/#m1)

### Then and now

Old-fashioned; today we say "perhaps" or "maybe", and "peradventure" is found only in old stories.

### Examples

- And I said unto my master: Peradventure the woman will not follow me. (Torah GEN.24.39, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/P/peradventure/#x1)
- Whenever I go against the wind my eyes will water, and peradventure my head will burn, and I shall have a giddiness every new moon. (Celtic Fairy Tales) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/P/peradventure/#x2)
- Peradventure ten shall be found there.' And He said: 'I will not destroy it for the ten's sake.' (Torah GEN.18.32, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/P/peradventure/#x3)

### Note

Today: perhaps, maybe.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «peradventure» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/peradventure/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«peradventure» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/peradventure.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «peradventure» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/peradventure/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«peradventure» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/peradventure.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «peradventure» in the Early Modern English dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/P/peradventure/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«peradventure» in the Early Modern English dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/emode/w/peradventure.html) on Mova free.