- Main Entry:
- 1fate
- Pronunciation:
-
\ˈfāt\
- Function:
- noun
- Etymology:
- Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin fatum, literally, what has been spoken, from neuter of fatus, past participle of fari to speak — more at ban
- Date:
- 14th century
1: the will or principle or determining cause by which things in general are believed to come to be as they are or events to happen as they do : destiny2 a: an inevitable and often adverse outcome, condition, or end b: disaster; especially : death3 a: final outcome b: the expected result of normal development <prospective fate of embryonic cells> c: the circumstances that befall someone or something <did not know the fate of her former classmates>4plural capitalized : the three goddesses who determine the course of human life in classical mythology
synonyms fate,
destiny,
lot,
portion,
doom mean a predetermined state or end.
fate implies an inevitable and usually an adverse outcome
<the fate of the submarine is unknown>.
destiny implies something foreordained and often suggests a great or noble course or end
<the country's destiny to be a model of liberty to the world>.
lot and
portion imply a distribution by fate or destiny,
lot suggesting blind chance
<it was her lot to die childless>,
portion implying the apportioning of good and evil
<remorse was his daily portion>.
doom distinctly implies a grim or calamitous fate
<if the rebellion fails, his doom is certain>.
