perhaps

perhaps
\ \ [16] The phrase by hap or by hapsby chance’ originated in the 14th century (hapchance’, a borrowing from Old Norse, now survives in the derived happen). In the 16th century it was transformed into perhaps on the model of perchance [14] and the now obsolete percase [14], both borrowings from Anglo- Norman containing perby’.
\ \ Cf.HAPPEN, HAPPY

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Perhaps — Per*haps , adv. [Per + hap chance.] By chance; peradventure; perchance; it may be. [1913 Webster] And pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. Acts viii. 22. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • perhaps — 1520s, formed from M.E. per, par by, through + plural of hap chance (see HAPPEN (Cf. happen)), on model of peradventure, perchance, etc. which now have been superseded by this word …   Etymology dictionary

  • perhaps — [adv] possibly as it may be, as the case may be, conceivably, feasibly, for all one knows, imaginably, it may be, maybe, perchance, reasonably; concept 552 Ant. improbably, never, unlikely …   New thesaurus

  • perhaps — ► ADVERB 1) expressing uncertainty or possibility. 2) used when making a polite request or suggestion. ORIGIN from PER(Cf. ↑per) + HAP(Cf. ↑H) …   English terms dictionary

  • perhaps — [pər haps′] adv. [ PER1 + haps, pl. of HAP1] possibly; maybe …   English World dictionary

  • perhaps — [[t]pə(r)hæ̱ps, præ̱ps[/t]] ♦ 1) ADV: ADV with cl/group (vagueness) You use perhaps to express uncertainty, for example, when you do not know that something is definitely true, or when you are mentioning something that may possibly happen in the… …   English dictionary

  • perhaps — per|haps [ pər hæps ] adverb *** Perhaps can be used in the following ways: as a sentence adverb (making a comment on the whole sentence or clause): Perhaps we ve met before. as an ordinary adverb (before a number): He was perhaps 95. 1. ) used… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • perhaps */*/*/ — UK [pə(r)ˈhæps] / US [pərˈhæps] adverb Summary: Perhaps can be used in the following ways: as a sentence adverb (making a comment on the whole sentence or clause): Perhaps we ve met before. as an ordinary adverb (before a number): He was perhaps… …   English dictionary

  • perhaps — per|haps W1S2 [pəˈhæps, præps US pər , præps] adv [Date: 1400 1500; Origin: per + haps, plural of hap chance (13 20 centuries) ( HAPPY)] 1.) used to say that something may be true, but you are not sure = ↑maybe ▪ Perhaps she s next door. ▪… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • perhaps — adverb 1 possibly; maybe: This is perhaps her finest novel yet. | Perhaps she s next door. | Do you think Mark s upset? Perhaps. | perhaps not: Do you think I dare ask him? Perhaps not. 2 used to say that a number is only a guess: The room was… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • perhaps*/*/*/ — [pəˈhæps] adv 1) used for saying that you are not certain whether something is true I haven t seen them for months – perhaps they ve moved away.[/ex] There were perhaps a dozen women in the audience.[/ex] 2) spoken used when you are making a… …   Dictionary for writing and speaking English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”