 | WordWeight : Weighing the Words |
| WordWeight : Weighing the Words |
Propitious
Pronunciation : Pro*pi"tious
Part of Speech : a.
Etymology : [L. propitius, perhaps originally a term of augury meaning, flying forward (pro) or well; cf. Skr. pat to fly, E. petition, feather.]
Definition : 1. Convenient; auspicious; favorable; kind; as, a propitious season; a propitious breeze.
2. Hence, kind; gracious; merciful; helpful; -- said of a person or a divinity. Milton. And now t' assuage the force of this new flame, And make thee [Love] more propitious in my need. Spenser.
Syn. -- Auspicious; favorable; kind. -- Propitious, Auspicious. Auspicious (from the ancient idea of auspices, or omens) denotes "indicative of success," or "favored by incidental occurrences;" as, an auspicious opening; an auspicious event. Propitious denotes that which efficaciously protect us in some undertaking, speeds our exertions, and decides our success; as, propitious gales; propitious influences. -- Pro*pi"tious*ly, adv. -- Pro*pi"tious*ness, n.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
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