from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Adventure \Ad*ven"ture\ (?; 135), n. [OE. aventure, aunter,
anter, F. aventure, fr. LL. adventura, fr. L. advenire,
adventum, to arrive, which in the Romance languages took the
sense of "to happen, befall." See Advene.]
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1. That which happens without design; chance; hazard; hap;
hence, chance of danger or loss.
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Nay, a far less good to man it will be found, if she
must, at all adventures, be fastened upon him
individually. --Milton.
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2. Risk; danger; peril. [Obs.]
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He was in great adventure of his life. --Berners.
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3. The encountering of risks; hazardous and striking
enterprise; a bold undertaking, in which hazards are to be
encountered, and the issue is staked upon unforeseen
events; a daring feat.
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He loved excitement and adventure. --Macaulay.
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4. A remarkable occurrence; a striking event; a stirring
incident; as, the adventures of one's life. --Bacon.
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5. A mercantile or speculative enterprise of hazard; a
venture; a shipment by a merchant on his own account.
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{A bill of adventure} (Com.), a writing setting forth that
the goods shipped are at the owner's risk.
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Syn: Undertaking; enterprise; venture; event.
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