vignette vignette /viːnˈjɛt/

noun

1. () A brief literary description  ( vignette , sketch )
   a brief literary description
     The artist made a quick sketch of the landscape before painting.
   The artist made a quick sketch of the landscape before painting.
   
2. A small illustrative sketch (as sometimes placed at the beginning of chapters in books)  ( vignette )
   a small illustrative sketch (as sometimes placed at the beginning of chapters in books)
    Each chapter of the book began with a vignette, giving readers a hint of what's to come.
   Each chapter of the book began with a vignette, giving readers a hint of what's to come.
   
   
3. A photograph whose edges shade off gradually  ( vignette )
   a photograph whose edges shade off gradually
   

 semiquaver semiquaver /ˈsɛmiˌkweɪvər/

noun

1. [British] A musical note having the time value of a sixteenth of a whole note  ( semiquaver [British] , sixteenth note [ N. American] )
   a musical note having the time value of a sixteenth of a whole note
   
   

 chance chance /ˈtʃæns/

adjective

1. () Occurring, appearing or singled out by chance  ( casual , chance )
   occurring, appearing or singled out by chance
    Seek help from casual passers-by
   seek help from casual passers-by
    A casual meeting
   a casual meeting
    A chance occurrence
   a chance occurrence
   

noun

1. () A possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances  ( chance , opportunity )
   a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
    The holiday gave us the opportunity to visit Washington
   the holiday gave us the opportunity to visit Washington
    Now is your chance
   now is your chance
   
2. () An unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another  ( hazard , fortune , luck , chance )
   an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
    Bad luck caused his downfall
   bad luck caused his downfall
    We ran into each other by pure chance
   we ran into each other by pure chance
   
3. () A risk involving danger  ( chance )
   a risk involving danger
    You take a chance when you let her drive
   you take a chance when you let her drive
   
4. () A measure of how likely it is that some event will occur; a number expressing the ratio of favorable cases to the whole number of cases possible  ( chance , probability )
   a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur; a number expressing the ratio of favorable cases to the whole number of cases possible
    The probability that an unbiased coin will fall with the head up is 0.5
   the probability that an unbiased coin will fall with the head up is 0.5
    If that phone call is for me, chances are it's my wife
   if that phone call is for me, chances are it's my wife
   
   
5. The possibility of future success  ( chance , prospect )
   the possibility of future success
    His prospects as a writer are excellent
   his prospects as a writer are excellent
   

verb

1. () Be the case by chance  ( chance )
   be the case by chance
    I chanced to meet my old friend in the street
   I chanced to meet my old friend in the street
   
2. () Take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome  ( hazard , adventure , chance , gamble , risk , run a risk , take a chance , take chances )
   take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
    When you buy these stocks you are gambling
   When you buy these stocks you are gambling
   
3. Come upon, as if by accident; meet with  ( chance , happen , bump , encounter , find )
   come upon, as if by accident; meet with
    We find this idea in Plato
   We find this idea in Plato
    I happened upon the most wonderful bakery not very far from here
   I happened upon the most wonderful bakery not very far from here
    She chanced upon an interesting book in the bookstore the other day
   She chanced upon an interesting book in the bookstore the other day
   

 lavation lavation /ləˈveɪʃən/

noun

1. The work of cleansing (usually with soap and water)  ( lavation , wash , washing )
   the work of cleansing (usually with soap and water)
    I need to do my washing this weekend; my clothes basket is overflowing.
   I need to do my washing this weekend; my clothes basket is overflowing.