The noun denotes chance occurrences, coincidental meetings, or random happenstance. Classical usage speaks of 'chance annoyances' and unexpected encounters. Jesus uses it in the Good Samaritan parable when the priest comes down the road 'by chance' and encounters the wounded man. The term emphasizes the apparent randomness from the priest's perspective—he didn't plan to find a victim. Yet within Jesus' parable, this 'chance' encounter becomes the test of covenant faithfulness. The term highlights the gap between human perspective (coincidence) and divine providence (ordained encounter).