vicissitude

[ vi-sis-i-tood, -tyood ]

/ vɪˈsɪs ɪˌtud, -ˌtyud /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR vicissitude ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a change or variation occurring in the course of something.

interchange or alternation, as of states or things.

vicissitudes, successive, alternating, or changing phases or conditions, as of life or fortune; ups and downs: They remained friends through the vicissitudes of 40 years.

regular change or succession of one state or thing to another.

change; mutation; mutability.

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Nearby words

Origin of vicissitude

1560–70; < Latin vicissitūdō, equivalent to viciss(im) in turn (perhaps by syncope < *vice-cessim; vice in the place of (see vice³) + cessim giving way, adv. derivative of cēdere to go, proceed) + -i- -i- -tūdō -tude

Related formsvi·cis·si·tu·di·nous, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for vicissitudes

Art must be used in service of the people—and is always subject to the vicissitudes of the party line.
The Death of 'Stalin's Songbird'|Michael Moynihan|January 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One by one, nine men, all military veterans, updated the judge on the vicissitudes of their week.
From PTSD to Prison: Why Veterans Become Criminals|Matthew Wolfe|July 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But no matter what the vicissitudes of life, I am still glad that I came of age in Boston, and that it taught me what it did.
Whoever Did This Does Not Understand Boston|Pranay Gupte|April 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Much wisdom is demanded of an Irish leader in deciding the tactical questions arising from the vicissitudes of British parties.
Ireland and the Home Rule Movement|Michael F. J. McDonnell

It is impossible to follow here the language struggle in Finland in all its vicissitudes.
Through Finland in Carts|Ethel Brilliana Alec-Tweedie
Nothing that home to them means home, and will always do so, to the end of life, what vicissitudes soever that may involve?
Ginger-Snaps|Fanny Fern
It is surprising how one is fortified for the vicissitudes of the road by such a deliberate attitude of mind.
Across the Continent by the Lincoln Highway|Effie Price Gladding
However the men may long to return, they accept none the less heroically the vicissitudes of the situation.
Letters of a Soldier|Anonymous

British Dictionary definitions for vicissitudes

vicissitude

/ (vɪˈsɪsɪˌtjuːd) /

noun

variation or mutability in nature or life, esp successive alternation from one condition or thing to another

a variation in circumstance, fortune, character, etc

Derived Formsvicissitudinary or vicissitudinous, adjective

Word Origin for vicissitude

C16: from Latin vicissitūdō, from vicis change, alternation

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 vicissitudes

vicissitude

1560s, from Middle French vicissitude (14c.), from Latin vicissitudinem (nominative vicissitudo) "change," from vicissim "changeably, in turn," from vicis "a turn, change" (see vicarious). Related: Vicissitudes.