propitious

[pruh-pish-uh s]

See more synonyms for propitious on Thesaurus.com

adjective

presenting favorable conditions; favorable: propitious weather.
indicative of favor; auspicious: propitious omens.
favorably inclined; disposed to bestow favors or forgive: propitious gods.

Origin of propitious

1400–50; late Middle English propicius < Latin propitius favorably inclined, propitious, probably equivalent to pro- pro-¹ + -pit-, combining form of petere to head for, resort to, solicit + -ius adj. suffix; see -ous

Related formspro·pi·tious·ly, adverbpro·pi·tious·ness, nounun·pro·pi·tious, adjectiveun·pro·pi·tious·ly, adverbun·pro·pi·tious·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for propitious

Contemporary Examples

Just as clearly, this is a propitious moment for the Clinton magic to work its charms on a uniquely receptive audience.
How to Revive The Peace Process: A Modest Proposal
Letty Cottin Pogrebin
May 9, 2012
If, as they say, timing is everything, then Lawrence reached the Supreme Court at a propitious moment indeed.
The Real Story of Lawrence v. Texas Revealed in ‘Flagrant Conduct’
Kirk Davis Swinehart
March 28, 2012

Historical Examples

The coincidence was interpreted by Casanova as a propitious sign.
Casanova's Homecoming
Arthur Schnitzler
The occasion of the Duke's visit to Cesena will be, of all, the most propitious for our purpose.
The Shame of Motley
Raphael Sabatini
The offerings for crossing the frontier were propitious, and he pushed on to Tegea.
Hellenica
Xenophon
The moment might be propitious to the pretender, however false his claim.
The Historical Nights Entertainment, Second Series
Rafael Sabatini
Everything was propitious for their enterprise but the weather.
Sir Henry Morgan, Buccaneer
Cyrus Townsend Brady

British Dictionary definitions for propitious

propitious

adjective

favourable; auguring well
gracious or favourably inclined

Derived Formspropitiously, adverbpropitiousness, noun

Word Origin

C15: from Latin propitius well disposed, from prope close to

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for propitious

adj.

mid-15c., from Anglo-French propicius, Old French propicius "gracious, favorable, useful" (12c., Modern French propice) and directly from Latin propitius "favorable, kind, gracious, well-disposed" (see propitiation). Earlier English form was propice, from Old French propice. Related: Propitiously.

propitious

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Related Words

Examples from the Web for propitious

Contemporary Examples

Just as clearly, this is a propitious moment for the Clinton magic to work its charms on a uniquely receptive audience.

If, as they say, timing is everything, then Lawrence reached the Supreme Court at a propitious moment indeed.

Historical Examples

The coincidence was interpreted by Casanova as a propitious sign.

The occasion of the Duke's visit to Cesena will be, of all, the most propitious for our purpose.

The offerings for crossing the frontier were propitious, and he pushed on to Tegea.

The moment might be propitious to the pretender, however false his claim.

Everything was propitious for their enterprise but the weather.

propitious

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for propitious

adj.

Origin of propitious