Question

perhaps

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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionaryper·haps I \pər-ˈhaps, ˈpraps\ adverb ETYMOLOGY per + hap DATE 1528: possibly but not certainly : maybe II noun DATE 1534: something open to doubt or conjectureEnglish Etymologyperhaps 1528, formed from M.E. per, par "by, through" + plural of hap"chance" (see happen), on model of peradventure, perchance,etc. which now have been superseded by this word.Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7☞ perhapsper·haps / pE5hAps; prAps; NAmE pEr5h- / adverb1. possibly 可能；大概；也许 SYN maybe : 'Are you going to come?' 'Perhaps. I'll see how I feel.' "你来不来？" "也许来。要看我身体情况了。" Perhaps he's forgotten. 也许是他忘掉了。 2. used when you want to make a statement or opinion less definite (表示不确定)也许,可能: This is perhaps his best novel to date. 这也许是他迄今最好的小说。 3. used when making a rough estimate (用于粗略的估计)或许,可能: a change which could affect perhaps 20% of the population 一项可能影响 20% 的人口的改革 4. used when you agree or accept sth unwillingly, or do not want to say strongly that you disapprove (表示勉强同意或其实不赞成)也许,大概: 'You could do it yourself.' 'Yeah, perhaps.' "你可以自己做。" "嗯,也许吧。" 5. used when making a polite request, offer or suggestion (用于委婉的请求、主动承诺或提出建议)也许,如果: Perhaps it would be better if you came back tomorrow. 如果你明天回来,也许更好。 I think perhaps you've had enough to drink tonight. 我想今晚你已经喝得够多了。 Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridgedper·hapsI. \pə(r)ˈhaps, pəˈra-, ˈpra- also chiefly -R ˈpa- sometimes -R pəˈa-\adverbEtymology: per + haps, plural of hap (chance): possibly but not certainly : maybe < drove on … for perhaps fifty yards — William Faulkner > < perhaps this is true, but it is certainly debatable — R.H.Walker > < here perhaps I ought to say — James Gray >II. noun(-es)1. : something open to doubt or conjecture : speculation, supposition < make ourselves uncomfortable to any extent with perhapses — John Ruskin >2. usually capitalized : the postulate of a life after death < a belief in the great Perhaps — Thornton Wilder >

Used I Adverb Possibly Of Per·Haps Hap Date