Emily Dickinson Lexicon

HAZ'ARD, n. [Fr. hasard; probably from the root of L. casus, a fall, and ard, the common termination. But qu. the word in Italian is azzardo.]

1. Chance; accident; casualty; a fortuitous event; that which falls or comes suddenly or unexpectedly, the cause of which is unknown, or whose operation is unforeseen or unexpected. I will stand the hazard of the die. Shak.
2. Danger; peril; risk. He encountered the enemy at the hazard of his reputation and life. Men are led on from one stage of life to another, in a condition of the utmost hazard. Rogers.
3. A game at dice. Swift.
4. To run the hazard, to risk; to take the chance; to do or neglect to do something, when the consequences are not foreseen, and not within the powers of calculation.