Chevance

/ˈʃɛvəns/ noun

Definition

Medieval profit or gain; a fortunate outcome or success, especially in financial or commercial matters.

Etymology

From Old French 'chevance,' possibly derived from 'chief' (head) or related to achieving a goal, describing luck or favorable circumstance in medieval commerce.

Kelly Says

Medieval merchants would pray for 'good chevance' before trading voyages—the word captures an era when business success was seen as partly luck and partly divine favor, before we had accounting systems to guarantee outcomes.

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