Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CHAM'OMILE, n. [Gr. χαμαι, on the ground, and μηλον, an apple.]

The popular name of the Anthemis nobilis; a bitter plant much used in medicine.

CHAMP, v.i.

To chew; to perform the action of biting by repeated motion of the teeth; as, to champ upon the bit. – Hooker.

CHAMP, v.t. [Fr. champayer, I have not found. Qu. Gr. καπτω, for m is often casual before a labial, and in Gr. γαμφαι, is the jaws.]

1. To bite with repeated action of the teeth; as, a horse champs the bit.
2. To bite into small pieces; to chew; to masticate; to devour. Dryden.

CHAM-PAGNE', or CHAM-PANE', n.

A kind of brisk, sparkling wine, from Champagne in France.

CHAM-PAIGN', a.

Level, open; as a champaign country.

CHAM-PAIGN', or CHAM-PAIN', n. [From camp or the same root.]

A flat open country. Bacon. Milton.

CHAM-PAIN', n.

In heraldry, champain or point champain, is a mark of dishonor in the coat of arms of him who has killed a prisoner of war after he has asked for quarter. – Encyc.

CHAMP'ED, pp.

Bitten; chewed.

CHAMP'ER, n.

One that champs or bites.

CHAM'PER-TOR, n. [See Champerty.]

In law, one who is guilty of champerty – which see.

CHAM'PER-TY, n. [Fr. champart, field-rent; champ, L. campus, a field, and part, a share, or partir, to divide, campum partire.]

A species of maintenance, being a bargain with a plaintif or defendant, to divide the land or other matter in suit, between them, if they prevail; whereupon the champertor is to carry on the party's suit at his own expense. The purchase of a suit, or of the right of suing. – Blackstone.

CHAM-PIGN'ON, n. [shampin'yon. Fr.]

A kind of mushroom.

CHAMP'ING, ppr.

Biting with repeated action.

CHAM'PI-ON, n. [Fr. champion; Arm. campyon; Sp. campeon; Port. campeam, or campiam; It. campione; D. kamper, or kampvegter; G. kampfer. In all the Teutonic dialects, camp or kamp signifies a combat, and in some of them, a camp; Sax. campa, a camp and a combat; cempa, a soldier, warrior or gladiator; W. camp, a game, a feat; campiaw, to contend in a game. Here we have the origin of the Latin campus. It was originally the plain or open place appropriated to games, sports and athletic exercises.]

1. A man who undertakes a combat in the place or cause of another. – Bacon.
2. A man who fights in his own cause in a duel.
3. A hero; a brave warrior. Hence, one who is bold in contest; as, a champion for the truth.

CHAM'PI-ON, v.t.

To challenge to a combat. – Shak.

CHAM'PI-ON-ED, pp.

Challenged to combat.

CHAM'PI-ON-ESS, n.

A female champion. – Fairfax.

CHAM'PI-ON-ING, ppr.

Challenging to combat.

CHAM'PI-ON-SHIP, n.

State of being a champion. – N. A. Rev.

CHAM-POL'LION-IST, n.

A follower of Champollion (le jeune.)

CHANCE, a.

Happening by chance; casual; as, a chance comer.

CHANCE, n. [Fr. chance; Norm. cheaunce; Arm. chançz; D. kans; G. schanze. This seems to be from the participle of the French verb cheoir, to fall, Sp. caer, from the L. cado, or directly from the Latin cadens, cadentia.]

1. An event that happens, falls out or takes place, without being contrived, intended, expected or foreseen; the effect of an unknown cause, or the unusual or unexpected effect of a known cause; accident; casualty; fortuitous event; as, time and chance happen to all. By chance a priest came down that way. – Luke x.
2. Fortune; what fortune may bring; as, they must take their chance.
3. An event, good or evil; success or misfortune; luck. – Shak.
4. Possibility of an occurrence; opportunity. Your ladyship may have a chance to escape this address. – Swift.

CHANCE, v.i.

To happen; to fall out; to come or arrive without design, or expectation. If a bird's nest chance to be before thee. – Deut. xxii. Ah Casca, tell us what hath chanced to-day. – Shak.

CHANCE'A-BLE, a.

Accidental; casual; fortuitous. – Sidney.

CHANCE'A-BLY, adv.

Casually; by chance.