Vicissitude: meaning, definitions and examples

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vicissitude

 

[ vɪˈsɪsɪtjuːd ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

change in circumstances

Vicissitude refers to a change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant. It embodies the idea of the ups and downs that life can bring, highlighting the unpredictability of life's events. This term often emphasizes the transient nature of good and bad experiences, capturing how one's situation can shift dramatically over time. Vicissitudes can be observed in various contexts, including personal life, history, and even nature.

Synonyms

alteration, change, fluctuation, variation

Examples of usage

  • She faced the vicissitudes of life with resilience.
  • The vicissitudes of weather can greatly affect farming.
  • Their relationship survived the many vicissitudes over the years.

Translations

Translations of the word "vicissitude" in other languages:

🇵🇹 vicissitude

🇮🇳 परिवर्तन

🇩🇪 Wechsel

🇮🇩 perubahan

🇺🇦 переміна

🇵🇱 vicissitude

🇯🇵 変化

🇫🇷 vicissitude

🇪🇸 vicisitud

🇹🇷 değişim

🇰🇷 변화

🇸🇦 تقلب

🇨🇿 vicissitude

🇸🇰 vicissitude

🇨🇳 变迁

🇸🇮 vicissitude

🇮🇸 vicissitude

🇰🇿 өзгерістер

🇬🇪 ცვალებადობა

🇦🇿 dəyişiklik

🇲🇽 vicisitud

Etymology

The word 'vicissitude' comes from the Latin term 'vicissitudo', which means 'a change' or 'alternation'. It is derived from 'vicis', meaning 'change' or 'change of fortune'. The concept of vicissitude was used by early Roman scholars to discuss the inevitable changes that occur in life, highlighting both the positive and negative aspects of these transformations. Over time, 'vicissitude' made its way into the English language, gaining popularity during the Renaissance period when scholars were exploring Latin and Greek literature. The term has since evolved to often imply unwelcome changes, though originally, it simply referred to the nature of change itself. Today, 'vicissitude' is often used in literary and philosophical contexts to explore the unpredictability of life and human experience.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,760 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.