propitious

English

WOTD – 11 March 2016

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman and Old French propicius, from Latin propitius (favorable, well-disposed, kind). Compare French propice, Portuguese propício and Spanish propicio.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /pɹoʊˈpɪʃəs/
  • (file)
  • Hyphenation: pro‧pi‧tious

Adjective

propitious (comparative more propitious, superlative most propitious)

  1. Favorable; benevolent.
    Synonym: favorable
    Antonym: unpropitious
    propitious weather
  2. Advantageous.
    Synonym: advantageous
  3. Characteristic of a good omen.
    Synonyms: auspicious, fortunate, promising
    • 2014 November 6, Rob Nixon, “Naomi Klein’s ‘This Changes Everything’”, in New York Times:
      But counterrevolutions are reversible. Klein devotes much of her book to propitious signs that this can happen — indeed is happening.
  4. (archaic) Favorably disposed towards someone.

Antonyms

Translations

Further reading

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