[odds] n pl but sing or pl in constr (ca. 1520) 1 a archaic: inequalities b obs: degree of unlikeness
2. a: an amount by which one thing exceeds or falls short of another "won the election by considerable ~" b (1): a difference favoring one of two opposed things "overwhelming ~" (2): a difference in terms of advantage or disadvantage "what's the ~, if thinking so makes them happy --Flora Thompson" c (1): the probability that one thing is so or will happen rather than another: chances "the ~ are against it" (2): the ratio of the probability of one event to that of an alternative event
3: disagreement, variance--usu. used with at "faculty and administration often are at ~ on everything --W. E. Brock b1930"
4. a: special favor: partiality b: an allowance granted by one making a bet to one accepting the bet and designed to equalize the chances favoring one of the bettors c: the ratio between the amount to be paid off for a winning bet and the amount of the bet -- by all odds : in every way: without question "by all odds the best book of the year"