fortune etymology

Etymology:

• From Middle English fortune (noun and verb), from Old French fortune, from Latin fortūna (noun and verb), meaning "luck, chance, fortune, fate, destiny, lot," from Oscan-Umbrian furtuna, from Proto-Indo-European bʰer-tu-nā, meaning "that which is borne, that which is carried," originally "a carrying, a bearing," from the root bher-, meaning "to bear, to carry."

Meaning:

• A random, unpredictable, and irresistible force or power believed to control human affairs.
• A person's destiny or lot in life.
• Good luck or a favorable outcome.
• Wealth, property, or material possessions.
• A chance event or occurrence.
• A person's financial situation.

Origin:

The concept of fortune as a powerful and mysterious force that shapes human destiny has been present in human cultures for thousands of years. In ancient Greece and Rome, the goddess Fortuna was worshipped as the personification of luck and fortune. The Roman poet Virgil famously wrote, "Fortune favors the bold."

In the Middle Ages, the concept of fortune was often associated with astrology and alchemy. Astrologers believed that the positions of the stars and planets at the time of a person's birth could influence their future. Alchemists sought to discover the secret of turning base metals into gold, which they believed would bring them immense wealth and fortune.

The modern concept of fortune as a random and unpredictable force is largely due to the rise of scientific thought and the decline of religious belief. However, the idea of fortune as a powerful force that can shape our lives persists to this day.

fortune relate terms

• fortuitous

  Etymology The word fortuitous originates from the Latin fors meaning chance or a

• fortune

  Etymology From Middle English fortune noun and verb from Old French fortune from La

• fortunate

  Etymology The word fortunate derives from the Latin word fortunatus which means luc

• fortune

  Etymology From Middle English fortune noun and verb from Old French fortune from La

• misfortune

  Etymology Old English misfortuna from Late Latin misfortuna literally misfortune f

• fate

  Etymology The word fate comes from the Latin word fatum which means prophecy or d

• felicitation

  Etymology Latin felici felicis happy tati ablative of tat suffix forming a

• parvenu

  Etymology French parvenu past participle of parvenir to arrive reach Latin perv

• luck

  Etymology The word luck derives from the Middle English word lok ke which in turn

• treasure

• phenomenon

  Etymology Greek phainomenon Phainein to appear Meaning A natural occurrence

• portion

  Etymology Middle English porcioun from Old French porcioun from Medieval Latin porti