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opportune

 - 3 dictionary results

op⋅por⋅tune

  [op-er-toon, -tyoon]
Use opportune in a Sentence
–adjective
1. appropriate, favorable, or suitable: an opportune phrase for the occasion.
2. occurring or coming at an appropriate time; well-timed: an opportune warning.
Origin:
1375–1425; late ME < L opportūnus convenient, equiv. to op- op- + portu-, s. of portus access, port 1 + -nus adj. suffix (u lengthened as in tribūnus tribune )

Related forms:
op⋅por⋅tune⋅ly, adverb
op⋅por⋅tune⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. apt; fortunate, propitious. 2. convenient. Opportune, seasonable, timely refer to something that is particularly fitting or suitable for a certain time. Opportune refers to something that is well-timed and meets exactly the demands of the time or occasion: an opportune remark. Something that is seasonable is right or proper for the time or season or occasion: seasonable weather. Something that is timely occurs or is done at an appropriate time, esp. in time to meet some need: timely intervention.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To opportune
op·por·tune   (ŏp'ər-tōōn', -tyōōn')   
adj.  

  1. Suited or right for a particular purpose: an opportune place to make camp.

  2. Occurring at a fitting or advantageous time: an opportune arrival.


[Middle English, from Old French opportun, from Latin opportūnus, from ob portum (veniēns), (coming) toward port : ob, to; see ob- + portum, accusative of portus, harbor; see per-2 in Indo-European roots.]
op'por·tune'ly adv., op'por·tune'ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

opportune 
c.1408, from L. opportunus "favorable," from the phrase ob portum veniens "coming toward a port," in reference to the wind, from ob "to, toward" + portus "harbor." Opportunist (1881) and opportunism (1870) both borrowed from It. opportunismo, a word in It. politics, later applied in Fr. to Gambetta (1881) and then generally in Eng. to any who seek to profit from the prevailing circumstances.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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