▪ I. adventure, n.
(ædˈvɛntjʊə(r), -tʃə(r))
Forms: 3–6 aventure, auenture, aunter; 3–5 auntre; 4 aventer, auntyre, -our; 4–5 aventur, -owre, awnter, auntur(e, -er(e, anter; 4–6 aventre, auentour; 5 awentuer, awntyr; 6–7 adventer; 5– adventure.
[a. OFr. auenture:—L. adventūra (sc. res) a thing about to happen to any one; fut. pple. of advenī-re to happen: see advene. The early Eng. auenˈture soon passed in pop. speech through the forms aˈuentur, ˈauntur, to aunter and anter (still common in Scotl.), while avenˈture remained a literary form. In 5–6 the Fr. was often re-spelt adventure in imitation of L., a fashion which (though it soon died out in France) passed into Eng., and permanently affected the word. After 1600 the last syllable was still obscure, (-ə(r)).]
† 1. a. That which comes to us, or happens without design; chance, hap, fortune, luck. Obs.
| c 1230 Ancren Riwle 340 Swuch cas, and swuch auenture bitimeð to summe monne. c 1314 Guy Warw. 187 To the Lombardes bifel iuel auentour. 1340 Ayenb. 18 Guodes of aventure, ase richesses, worssipe, and heȝnesse. a 1400 Metr. Hom. 30 Fel auntour that this enfermer Was sek. c 1450 Lonelich Grail xxxviii. 109 Go As Aventure wil the lede. 1587 Golding De Mornay i. 5 As for aduenture or chaunce it is nothing els but disorder and confusion. 1594 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. (1617) 52 Infants..whom the cruelty of unnatural parents casteth out and leaveth to the adventure of uncertain pity. 1699 Dryden T. fr. Chaucer, Flower and Leaf 605 She smiled with sober cheer, And wish'd me fair adventure for the year. |
† b. per adventure, by adventure, of adventure (Fr. par aventure): By chance. The two latter are obs., the first now treated as a single word, with sense perchance, perhaps. See peradventure.
| 1297 R. Glouc. 375 He rod an honteþ, & per auntre hys hors spurde. 1382 Wyclif Matt. v. 25 Lest perauenture thin aduersarie take thee to the domesman. c 1440 Rom. Rose 1502 For Narcisus, shortly to telle, By aventure come to that welle. c 1430 Lydg. Bochas ii. xxviii. (1554) 64 b, So befell, Remus,..Of auenture, went ouer the wall. 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 98 Of auenture with his handes he touched his eyen. 1557 K. Arthur (Copland) i. i. By aduenture he mette Merlyn in a beggers araye. 1675 Hobbes Odyss. 210 A chopping-board was near him by adventure. |
† c. an, on, in, upon, for adventure (aunter): In case, lest, for fear. (Orig. with if, lest, that added.) Obs. (Hence by the addition of the adverbial -ings, the northern anaunterins.)
| 1362 Langl. P. Pl. A. iii. 72 An auenture ȝe han ȝowre hire here, and ȝoure heuene als. 1387 Trevisa Higden Rolls Ser. II. 295 Anaunter leste þe olde man schulde be holde a lecchour. 1393 Gower Conf. III. 331 In aunter if he might amende. c 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (1840) 45 In aunter that thou tourne unto displeasaunce. c 1430 Syr Generides 9138 And so thei ride on hunting For auenture of ony spiyng. ? a 1450 Visit. Sick in Maskell Mon. Rit. Eccl. Angl. III. 3 Sinne no more on aunter thow falle wors. 1480 Caxton Chron. Eng. vii. (1520) 84/2 Upon aventure me sholde lyke some other bysshopryche to gyve hym. 1551 Robinson tr. More's Utopia (1869) 57 In aunters the Englishmen shoulde sturre. 1558 Kennedy in Misc. Wod. Soc. (1844) 127 Nor be led with hym that is blynd, in aventure ȝe fall baith in the fowsie. |
† 2. A chance occurrence, an event or issue, an accident. Also in Law. Obs.
| a 1300 Cursor Mundi 454 Qua herd euer a warr auntur. c 1400 Destr. Troy xvi. 7327 Achilles þan auerthward þis auntre beheld. 1551 Robinson tr. More's Utopia 141 Them that kepe watche and warde in harneis before the trenche for sodeine auentures. 1663 Butler Hudibras i. i. 633 For they a sad Adventure met. 1691 Blount Law Dict., Aventure is a mischance, causing the death of a Man, without Felony. 1727 Swift Gulliv. iii. i. 181, I was ready to entertain an hope, that this adventure might some way or other help to deliver me. |
† 3. a. A trial of one's chance, or of an issue; a hazard, venture, or experiment. to give the adventure: to make the venture, to try the experiment. to stand in aventure: to remain on trial, to hang in the balance, or in doubt. Obs.
| c 1386 Chaucer Knt.'s T. 328 Heere in this prisoun, moote we endure And euerich of vs, take his auenture. c 1400 Destr. Troy iii. 827, I wold boune me to batell and take my bare aunter, Yon worthy wethir to wyn. c 1460 Towneley Myst. 189 By nyghtertaylle dede shuld he be, And tille oure awnter stand ilkon. 1523 Ld. Berners Froissart I. ccxxxvi. 334 It behoued them to abyde their aduentur. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scotl. (1858) I. 85 The victorie stude lang in aventour. 1595 Shakes. John v. v. 22 To try the faire aduenture of to morrow. 1607 Topsell Four-footed Beasts (1673) 150 Whereupon ‘Patroclus’ [one of the elephants] gave the adventure, and passed over safely. 1673 Lady's Calling ii. iii. xv. 89 Marriage is so great an adventure, that once seems enough for the whole life. 1769–90 Sir J. Reynolds Disc. xiv. (1876) 90 When we adapt the character of the landscape..This is a very difficult adventure. |
† b. at adventure, -s: At hazard, at random, recklessly; (with clause) on chance. Obs.
In later times sometimes improperly printed at a venture as in 1 Kings xxii. 34 ‘A certaine man drew a bow at a venture’ (read at aventure), and in Shakes. 2 Hen. IV, i. i. 59, where the correct ‘Speake at aduenture’ is printed in the Globe ed. ‘Speak at a venture.’
| c 1420 Cœur de Lion 2188 The bowmen and eke the arblasters, Armed them all at aventers. 1523 Ld. Berners Froissart I. cxcii. 228 Certayn of the garyson..rode forthe at aduenture somwhat to wyn. 1561 T. N[orton] tr. Calvin's Inst. i. 11 Yet is this no small fault, at aduenture to worship an unknowen God. 1577 tr. Bullinger Dec. (1592) 228 Some..marrie at aduentures, to their owne decay, and vtter destruction. 1665 Evelyn Mem. (1857) III. 172 Nor was what I writ a prophecy at adventure. 1777 Hume Ess. & Treat. I. 172 Shall this business be allowed to go altogether at adventures? |
† c. at all adventure, -s: At random, anyhow; hence, At all hazards, at any risk, whatever may be the consequence, recklessly; and later, At all events, at any rate, in any case. Obs.
| 1485 Caxton Chas. the Gt. 193 Eche took an hors of them þat were dede, which ranne at al aduenture. 1540 Whittinton Tully's Off. i. 46 We shall do nothyng folysshly and at all aduentures. 1553 T. Wilson Rhetor. 47 b, Plaie as young boyes or scarre crowes do, whiche showte..at all aventures hittie missie. 1677 Hale Contempl. ii. 195 Be contented herein..and be Thankful to him at all adventures. 1690 Locke Hum. Underst. iv. xvii. §2 (1727) I. 316 The Effects of Chance and Hazard, of a mind floating at all adventures. 1760 Jortin Life of Erasm. II. 76 At all adventures the yoke was to be shaken off. 1793 Smeaton Edystone Lightho. §275 At all adventures they were to fit the outside shell of the building. |
4. Chance of danger or loss; risk, jeopardy, peril. to put in adventure: to put in jeopardy, to imperil, to risk, to stake. Still in Mar. Insur.
| 1297 R. Glouc. 64 And þouȝte yt was not god To do hys lyf an auntre. c 1325 E.E. Allit. P. C. 242 His seele is on anter. 1375 Barbour Bruce i. 606 He wes in full gret auentur To tyne his lyff. 1414 Brampton 7 Penit. Ps. cx. 42 Thi lyif thou potyst in aventure. 1483 Caxton G. de la Tour b vij, For who soo doth, he set his honoure in grete aduenture. 1598 Yong Diana 141 For my sake to put thy life in aduenture. 1615 Bp. Hall Contempl. xxi. 79 Labouring to prevent a common mischiefe, though with the adventure of their owne. 1882 Mar. Insur. Policies And touching the adventures and perils which the capital stock and funds of the said Company are made liable unto. Ibid. Beginning the adventure upon the said Goods, Freight, and Merchandizes, from the loading thereof aboard the said Ship. |
5. a. A hazardous or perilous enterprise or performance; a daring feat; hence a prodigy, a marvel.
| c 1314 Guy Warw. 35 Now Gii wendeth into fer lond More of auentours far to fond. c 1325 E.E. Allit. P. B. 1600 To open vch a hide þyng of aunteres vncowþe. 1384 Chaucer L.G.W. 953 His aventourys in the se. c 1400 Destr. Troy i. 153 In a cuntre was cald Colchos by name, Was an aunter..a wonderfull wethur weghes to be-holde. c 1420 Anturs of Arther i. 1 (1842) 1 In the tyme of Arther thys antur be-tydde. 1583 Stanyhurst æneis ii. (1880) 69 Throgh surgye waters with mee too seek ther auenturs. 1617 Sir L. Cranfeilde in Fortesc. Pap. 42 My many and dangerous adventures in his Majesties service. 1867 Pearson Hist. Eng. I. 22 The romance of a brilliant adventure. |
This passed insensibly into sense 6.
b. An instance of adventurism (see adventurism 2); applied disparagingly to any act or policy considered to be dangerous, e.g. as likely to involve the country concerned in war. (Russ. avantyura is used in a similar sense.)
| 1932 [see adventurism 2]. 1957 New Statesman 18 May 630/1 Mr. Macmillan..argued..that the Suez adventure in no way influenced Egypt's attitude to the negotiations. 1958 Listener 30 Oct. 682/2 [citing Moscow radio] The intensification of the policy of adventure and provocation of People's China, and the drawing up of plans for a new adventure in the Taiwan Straits area. Ibid. 27 Nov. 864/2 Outside interference, from East or West, delays such a solution, by diverting Arab attention to political problems and adventures, and thus impeding the emergence of constructive Arab statesmanship. |
6. Any novel or unexpected event in which one shares; an exciting or remarkable incident befalling any one.
| 1570 R. Ascham Scholem. i. (Arb.) 29 Adventures now a days mean experiences in travel. 1608 Shakes. Per. ii. iii. 83 A gentleman of Tyre..looking for adventures in the world. 1716–8 Lady M. W. Montague Lett. I. xi. 40 One of the pleasantest adventures I ever met with in my life. 1853 C. Brontë Villette vi. (1876) 42 To walk alone in London seemed of itself an adventure. |
7. A pecuniary risk, a venture, a speculation, a commercial enterprise.
| 1625 Bacon Ess. xxxiv. 239 He that puts all vpon Aduentures, doth often times brake, and come to Pouerty. 1668 Child Disc. of Trade (ed. 4) 54 Whilst interest is at 6 per cent. no man will run an adventure to sea for the gain of 8 or 9 per cent. 1683 Evelyn Mem. (1857) II. 179, I sold my East India adventure of {pstlg}250 principal for {pstlg}750. 1793 Smeaton Edystone Lightho. §197 Puzzolana..had been imported as an adventure from Civita Vecchia. 1832 G. C. Lewis Use & Ab. Pol. Terms iii. 33 Employing his capital or labour in adventures only compatible with the existence of the law. |
8. The encountering of risks or participation in novel and exciting events; adventurous activity, enterprise.
| c 1325 E.E. Allit. P. A. 64 My goste is gon in godeȝ grace, In auenture þer meruayleȝ meuen. 1596 Spenser F.Q. i. ix. 6 But what adventure, or what high intent, Hath brought you hether. 1600 Heywood 1st Edw. IV, Auth. to Bk. 17 Some citizens, some soldiers, borne to adventer..When we are borne, and to the world first enter. 1603 Knolles Hist. Turkes (1621) 1228 So the assault was begun with great furie and adventure. 1825 Br. Jonathan I. 382, I felt a yearning after adventure. 1863 Burton Bk. Hunter 87 The auction room..calls forth courage, promptness, and the spirit of adventure. |
† 9. (By analysis of the L. elements of the word.) ? A coming, arrival, advent. Obs.
| 1623 Meade in Ellis Orig. Lett. i. 297 III. 162 From a delight they took in so rare an adventure of a Prince of his quality. 1649 Selden Laws of Eng. i. lix. (1739) 109 In their first Adventure they paced the Stage. |
10. Comb. adventure playground, a playground where children are provided with miscellaneous equipment, often waste material, from which they may contrive their own amusement (see quot. 19531); adventure-school, a school started and conducted as a private speculation.
| 1953 Lady Allen Adventure Playgrounds (Nat. Playing Fields Assoc.) 3 How does an *Adventure Playground differ from the usual playground? There is no asphalt, no see-saws, swings or slides, except those created by the children themselves out of waste material freely available on the site. 1953 Playgrounds for Blocks of Flats (Nat. Playing Fields Assoc.) 20 The employment of a supervisor, play leader or attendant is not considered necessary, except in the case of ‘adventure’ (creative or building) playgrounds. 1960 Times 25 Mar. 24/2 A steam-roller..is for the children's ‘adventure playground’. 1834 H. Miller Sc. & Leg. xxviii. (1857) 408 Sometimes he taught an *adventure school. |
▸ In a role-playing or computer game: an episodic adventure story in which participants enact fantasy roles and situations; (also) such a game, or an instance of play. (For attrib. uses see sense Additions a(b).)
| 1979 Creative Computing June 149/2 (advt.) A new type of game... This game..is designed so that different Adventures can be created by changing the data base. So look for more Adventures in the future. 1982 J. Butterfield et al. What is Dungeons & Dragons? 174 Adventure, the actions taken by the characters and the events which happen to them between setting out on an expedition and returning from it. 1984 Which Micro? Dec. 76/3 You can dispense with graphics altogether by pressing ‘N’ when the adventure is loaded. 1990 Dragon Mag. Mar. 82/3 While there is nothing inherently wrong with this adventure, it didn't grab me as much as the adventures previously reviewed. 1997 T3 Feb. 45/2 A storyboard is of less use in a complicated 3D beat 'em up, but a strategy game, adventure or platformer can benefit from this frame-by-frame approach. 2001 Canberra Times (Nexis) 13 Aug. a17 The Diabolo games are traditional role-playing adventures designed for fans of Dungeons and Dragons and other fantasy games. |
▸ In attrib. use. a. (In sense 6.) a. Designating or relating to any of various related genres of fiction or drama which depict an episodic series of hazardous or exciting situations, daring actions, etc.; esp. in adventure story.
| 1896 G. Saintsbury Hist. 19th Cent. Lit. vii. 337 With a touch of Bulwerian romance, something of the sporting novel, and a good deal of the adventure story, Smedley united plenty of pleasant humour. 1912 S. E. White Land of Footprints i. 7 The adventure writer, half unconsciously perhaps, has been too much occupied in play-acting himself into half-forgotten boyhood heroics. 1940 Horizon Mar. 176 The Gem in addition to its school-story carries one or more adventure-serials. 1979 Arizona Daily Star 1 Apr. (Tucson T.V. Suppl.) 4/6 ‘Flight to Tangiers’... A 1953 adventure-drama starring Joan Fontaine and Jack Palance. 2001 C. Freeland But is it Art? iii. 63 It would be impossible to disentangle strands of influence in the spaghetti western, samurai film, Hollywood action flick, Indian adventure story, and Hong Kong cinema. |
b. Designating a role-playing or computer game in which the participant plays a fantasy role in an episodic adventure story; esp. in adventure game, adventure gaming, etc.
Development of this sense is strongly associated with the early interactive computer game Adventure (also known as Colossal Caves, Advent, etc.), created by U.S. programmer Will Crowther, and first made available in 1972 to users of the Boston University mainframe. Later modified by Don Woods, from the late 1970s the game was widely distributed via the university-based communications network ARPAnet (a precursor of the Internet). Quot. 1979 refers specifically to this game.
| [1979 Creative Computing June 149/2 This game was inspired by the huge Adventure game which has appeared on large mainframe computers the last several years.] 1980 Byte July 3 Here are some valuable tips on designing your own Adventure game. 1981 N.Y. Times 23 Sept. d4/1 Dark Tower—a fantasy-adventure game in which computer battles are fought with brigands while one's warriors are traveling from ruin to bazaar collecting gold and the magic keys. 1984 Which Micro? Dec. 34 (advt.) Leave reality behind you with..MP Adventure Games. 1989 Dragon Nov. 41/1 (advt.) Each book in the series focuses on a specific type of adventure gaming. 1993P. M. Greenfield in R. R. Cocking & K. A. Renninger Devel. & Meaning of Psychol. Distance iii. i. 181 The popular role-playing adventure games require much more complex problemsolving and strategy with less emphasis on speed. 1998 Daily Tel. 17 Sept. (Connected section) 14/3 The adventure game Metal Gear Solid and the RPG/adventure game Zelda will form the centrepiece of a huge cat-fight between, respectively, Sony and Nintendo this Christmas. |
b. (In sense 8.) Designating or relating to an expedition (esp. a package holiday) to an exotic or remote location, freq. involving physical challenge and rough living conditions; esp. in adventure holiday, adventure tour, adventure travel, adventure trip.
| 1935 H. E. Stearns Street I Know vii. 138 Walter Franzen had come back from his last adventure tour and was a frequent visitor. 1938 Q. Rev. Biol. 13 95/2 Essentially it is the result of long, patient, and acute observation, and not merely the record of happenings of a two-months adventure trip through uncivilized lands. 1954 Travel Agent 25 May 26/2 We do other things besides operate student and adventure trips. 1964 Economist 11 Jan. 114/1 Fully organized ‘Adventure Holidays’—with..the organisation not reducing the adventure too much—range from pony-trekking to pot-holing. 1969 Mademoiselle Oct. 174/2 Lars Eric Lindblad, president of Lindblad Travel, one pioneer in the adventure-travel field, calls the trend ‘a reaction to the vacation ghetto’. 1991 Ideal Home June 121/1, I spent an exhilarating day cruising the River Ord, speeding through spectacular scenery in a high-powered boat. There are adventure tours into the outback, too. 2000 Guardian (Dar es Salaam) 27 Mar. 1/5 The river is a popular adventure tourist destination. |
c. (In sense 8.) Designating any of various (usually physically demanding) outdoor leisure pursuits, esp. in adventure training; (also) designating a place where such activities take place; esp. in adventure camp, adventure centre.
| 1962 Punch 14 Feb. 267/3 Castles..are ideal for adventure-project-education. 1966 Listener 13 Oct. 537/1 ‘Adventure training’ is an attractive term for being thrown in at the survival deep end. 1973 Scotsman 13 Feb. 14/1 (advt.) Deputy warden required for adventure school on very remote sea loch, North-west Scotland... Duties largely administrative but very fit practical man with outdoor interests is required. 1977 Western Mail (Cardiff) 5 Mar. 13/2 (advt.) 29 Acres Hill Grazing..suitable for Cattle/Sheep/Horses, Adventure Centre, Youth Clubs. 1980 Globe & Laurel July–Aug. 211/1 As luck would have it, Ordnance Squadron was deployed at Leek at the time for a week's adventure training, culminating in a 50 mile map march. 1990 Daily Tel. 28 Apr. (Mag.) 66/2 He hit on the idea of summer adventure camps in the wilds of Wester Ross, and still organises them nationally for the Navy. 2001 Leicester Mercury (Electronic ed.) 22 June The 18-year-old..earned his award in Hong Kong. While staying there [i.e. in Hong Kong] he helped to run an adventure camp, studied photography and went on an expedition to earn the award. |
▪ II. adventure, v.
(ædˈvɛntjʊə(r), -tʃə(r))
Forms as in adventure n.
[a. OFr. aventure-r, f. aventure, adventure n.]
I. To commit to chance.
1. trans. To take the chance of; to commit to fortune; to undertake a thing of doubtful issue; to try, to chance, to venture upon.
| 1330 R. Brunne Chron. 70 Toward þis lond þei drouh, to auenture his chance. c 1386 Chaucer Reeve's T. 289, I wol arise and auntre it by my fay. 1587 Fleming Contn. Holinsh. III. 1319/2 Readie prest to aduenture anie aduentures for your gratious fauour. a 1618 Raleigh Instruct. Son iii. (1651) 11 He adventures thy mislike, and doth hazard thy hatred. 1633 Ford Love's Sacr. i. ii. (1839) 78, I am loth to move my lord unto offence; Yet I'll adventure chiding. 1725 De Foe Voy. round World (1840) 184 From east to west..it [a voyage] may be adventured with ease. 1815 Scott Ld. of Isles vi. xiv, I would adventure forth my lance. 1834 H. Martineau Moral iii. 89 Surely no statesman will be found to adventure it. |
2. To risk the loss of, to risk, stake; to imperil, or expose (to danger).
| c 1300 K. Alis. 4265 Hors and kyng..Was auntred undur the water. c 1440 Gesta Rom. (1879) 40 Thou haddist auntred thi owne body. a 1535 More Rich. III, Wks. 1557, 51/2 For what wise merchaunt aduentureth all his good in one ship. 1648 Sir C. Cotterell Davila (1678) 709 To adventure his Army to new dangers. 1654 Goddard in Burton Diary (1828) I. 84 We had adventured our lives and liberties for the cause. 1665 Evelyn Diary (1827) II. 250 My Wife went back to Wotton, I not as yet willing to adventure her. 1860 Motley Netherl. (1868) I. vi. 300 Elizabeth was taking the diadem from her head..and adventuring it upon the doubtful chance of war. |
3. refl. To risk oneself; to venture.
| c 1350 Will. Palerne 3268 Of þo wiþ-inne · non wold hem out aunter. 1393 Langland P. Pl. C. xxi. 232 And after auntrede god hym-self · and tok adams kynde. c 1440 Morte Arthure 360, I salle auntyre me anes hys egle to touche. 1475 Caxton Jason 65 b, To auenture myself in the conqueste of the noble moton or flees of golde. 1509 Barclay Ship of Fooles (1570) 178 Howe thou thee aventrest in holowe beame. 1611 Bible Acts. xix. 31 Desiring him that he would not aduenture himselfe into the Theatre. 1697 Potter Antiq. Greece iii. iv. (1715) 22 Thinking it unsafe to adventure themselves abroad. 1803 Wellington in Gen. Desp. I. 568 You must..take care not to adventure yourself single handed against the combined forces of those chiefs. |
4. intr. (by omission of refl. pron.) To risk oneself, to venture, to dare to come or go (in, into, on, upon any place). fig. To venture (on, upon a course or action), to dare to undertake. to adventure at (obs. rare): to dare to attack.
| c 1340 Alisaunder (Skeat) 902 Þe armed Atenieeins auntred hym till. c 1400 Destr. Troy xii. 4985 Þen auntred Vlexes and his erund said. 1575–6 Thynne Let. in Animadv. 54 I rashely aduentured beyoynde the course of my desertes. a 1581 E. Campion Hist. Irel. (1633) vii. 22 When Japheth..adventured by ship into divers West Islands. 1581 Lambarde Eiren. ii. iii. 117 Staying them that doe any way aduenture towardes the breach thereof. 1596 Shakes. 1 Hen. IV, i. ii. 192 Then will they aduenture vppon the exploit. a 1628 F. Greville Life of Sidney (1652) 33 This Narration I adventure of, to show the clearness and readiness of this Gentlemans judgment. 1642 Milton Apol. Smect. (1851) 293 To strike high, and adventure dangerously at the most eminent vices among the greatest persons. 1704 Swift Batt. Bks. (1711) 235 By this time the Spider was adventur'd out. 1797–8 Wellesley Desp. 779 Every man who pleases may adventure thither. 1812 Byron Ch. Har. ii. xliii, Now he adventured on a shore unknown. 1878 E. White Life in Christ iii. xvii. 215 The awe under which it becomes sinful men to adventure into that Holiest Place. |
5. a. intr. (with inf.) To dare, to run the risk, make the experiment; to go so far as, to venture.
| 1387 Trevisa Higden Rolls Ser. I. 29 Þe secunde book auntreþ forto telle berynge and dedes. c 1400 Destr. Troy i. 314 The Emperour Alexaunder Aunterid to come. 1490 Caxton Eneydos xlii. 134 Noo body durste not auenture for to goo to hym. 1594 Shakes. Rich. III, i. iii. 116, I dare aduenture to be sent to th' Towre. 1616 Sir R. Dudley in Fortesc. Pap. 15 My very enemies have never adventured to esteem me ungratefull. 1678 Quarles Arg. & Parth. 11 [He] boldly enters, and after mutual complement adventers To break the Ice of his dissembled grief. 1719 Wodrow Corr. (1843) II. 431, I adventured to show him the volume I brought up. 1818 Scott Hrt. Midl. 288 She feared she could not safely adventure to do so. |
b. trans. To venture to say or utter.
| 1881 Mrs. J. H. Riddell Sen. Partner II. i. 7 ‘I've been looking up my songs, Mr. McCullagh,’ added the eldest daughter..‘And we have been practising reels,’ adventured Miss Vanderton. 1898 Daily News 19 Oct. 3/1 He adventured the opinion that ‘some members opposite’ were ‘unaccustomed to the amenities of debate’. 1900 L. B. Walford One of Ourselves xiv, ‘Did he tell you about us?’ she adventured, cautiously. |
II. To be or come as a chance.
† 6. intr. To come by chance, happen, chance, befall. Usually impers. Obs.
| c 1400 Destr. Troy xx. 8235 Hit auntrit, þat Ector was angrit full euill. Ibid. iii. 742 And oft in astronamy hit auntres to falle, Þat domes men dessauis. Ibid. vi. 2107 Þe Authwart answares þat Auntrid hym þere Ys knowen. |