overchance

comparative more overchance · superlative most overchance

1. Occurring more than expected by mere chance or probability.

   It was claimed that an overchance number of correct answers was scored.

   1969, Psychic - Volume 1, page 44

   2 more examples

   If a subject systematically attains an overchance number of hits in a long series of calls, and if conditions reliably exclude normal sensory perception, as well as the possibility of rational inference, we consider this overchance result indicative of the manifestation of ESP.

   1970, Milan Rýzl, Parapsychology: A Scientific Approach, page 70

   He remarks cryptically that for reasons "too private to be discussed here" PS intimated to him "that in this particular study he would not aim at obtaining a high overchance result."

   1989, Martin Gardner, How Not to Test a Psychic

plural overchances

1. A likelihood that is greater than when all options are equally probable.

   At the second birth there is still an overchance in favor of a boy.

   1906, The Saturday Evening Post - Volume 179, Issue 2, page 38

   1 more example

   Let us suppose that 29 licences having been correctly renewed, by some overchance the 30th gets out of phase.

   1968, Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons, Parliamentary Debates: Standing committees