CHANCED UPON Meaning and
Definition
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The phrase "chanced upon" is an idiomatic expression used to describe the occurrence of an unexpected or unplanned encounter, usually by luck or accident. It refers to the act of coming across or discovering something or someone without any premeditation or intentional search.
When someone says they "chanced upon" something, it means they unexpectedly found it while engaged in other activities or in an unrelated situation. It implies a sense of serendipity or fortune in stumbling upon something valuable or fortuitous.
This expression often applies to situations where a person accidentally discovers an object, encounters a person or place, or stumbles upon a piece of information that they were not actively seeking. It implies a lack of intention or conscious effort put forth in finding or encountering the subject.
The phrase is commonly used in storytelling to depict a character's unexpected discovery, emphasizing the element of surprise or happenstance. It suggests an element of luck or fate in encountering something or someone that could potentially have a significant impact on their life.
Overall, "chanced upon" signifies a chance encounter or discovery that was not actively sought after or planned, but instead emerged spontaneously or by coincidence.
Common Misspellings for CHANCED UPON
- xhanced upon
- vhanced upon
- fhanced upon
- dhanced upon
- cganced upon
- cbanced upon
- cnanced upon
- cjanced upon
- cuanced upon
- cyanced upon
- chznced upon
- chsnced upon
- chwnced upon
Etymology of CHANCED UPON
The word "chanced upon" is a combination of two words: "chance" and "upon".
1. "Chance": This word originated from the Old French word "chance" or "chëance" in the 13th century, which meant "event or occurrence". It is derived from the Vulgar Latin word "cadentia" meaning "that which falls".
2. "Upon": This word originated from the Old English word "uppan" or "upp" in the 11th century, meaning "on, upon, or up". Its roots can be traced back to the Germanic language family.
When these two words are combined, "chance" refers to a random event or occurrence, while "upon" signifies a spatial relationship, meaning "on" or "in contact with". Therefore, "chanced upon" means to come across or discover something by accident or without prior intention.
