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Definition of propitious - 3 dictionary results

pro⋅pi⋅tious

  [pruh-pish-uhs]
Use propitious in a Sentence
–adjective
1. presenting favorable conditions; favorable: propitious weather.
2. indicative of favor; auspicious: propitious omens.
3. favorably inclined; disposed to bestow favors or forgive: propitious gods.
Origin:
1400–50; late ME propicius < L propitius favorably inclined, propitious, prob. equiv. to pro- pro- 1 + -pit-, comb. form of petere to head for, resort to, solicit + -ius adj. suffix; see -ous

Related forms:
pro⋅pi⋅tious⋅ly, adverb
pro⋅pi⋅tious⋅ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pro·pi·tious   (prə-pĭsh'əs)   
adj.  
  1. Presenting favorable circumstances; auspicious. See Synonyms at favorable.
  2. Kindly; gracious.

[Middle English propicius, from Old French propicieux, from Latin propitius; see pet- in Indo-European roots.]
pro·pi'tious·ly adv., pro·pi'tious·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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Propitious

Pro*pi"tious\, a. [L. propitius, perhaps originally a term of augury meaning, flying forward (pro) or well; cf. Skr. pat to fly, E. petition, feather.]

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.

Usage: 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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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