What’s in a Word: the Definition of Fortune

What comes to mind when you hear the word fortune? Is it fate, happiness, money, or luck? Perhaps you are thinking about misfortune, sadness, disaster, or lost money. Some of the things that come to mind when thinking about the meaning of the word fortune cookie fortune cookie, fortune telling, fortune. , Fortune Magazine’s Fortune 500, Families of Fortune, Wheel of Fortune, and Miles of Fortune. But the word can also be taken negatively. Misfortune, a series of unfortunate events, less fortunate, and ways to lose weight somehow in which the word means it takes a turn for the worst. Depending on how the word is used, it can either assume a positive or negative meaning in a person’s life.

Although the word luck is taken in various ways, the basic definition, according to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, is “a hypothetical force or personified power that incalculably determines successful or adverse events and outcomes” (2011). One can use luck in this way when explaining a life event, such as “Good luck is blessed because his house withstood the ravages of the storm” or “It is unfortunate that he could not get his property before the storm hit.” Other definitions of the word according to Merriam-Webster The Online Dictionary is, “partial fortune, an omen of fortune, an abundance of wealth or money” (2011). When you think of these word definitions, fortune teller, you think of fortune cookies, a fortune in new cars, or even a lost Vegas fortune. Either way you look at it, luck is akin to flipping a coin. Think of him as having a 50/50 chance of hearing good or bad news in terms of life, money, and success. These definitions of fortune are known, but what is the history of the word?

Believe it or not, luck has a long way to go. Fortuna, as shown in the Online Etymology Dictionary is as follows: “c.1300, “chance, fortune, like force in human affairs,” from O.Fr. fortune “luck, happiness, misfortune” (12c.), a. L. fortuna “fortune, fate, fortune” from fors (gen. fortis) “fortune”, possibly from PIE *bhrtu- and related to base *bher- (1) “to carry.” 1660s Fortune 500 “most profitable American companies” from the annual list published in “Fortune” magazine (Harper, 2011).

The sense of the word began as chance, fortune, or fate in human affairs, and is accomplished in the wealth or life of a man. Soldier of Fortune and Fortune 500 followed later in the story. For some, luck is also something that happens in life, whether good or bad, whether by chance or premeditated, whether good or hard. Fortune can be earned or given, known or unseen, inevitable or threatening, delightful or terrible. Luck is what you do, or how you consider your life’s achievements. For example: “That family was wonderfully lucky” or “His day was filled with disaster”. In all these things, how does the fortune of the average person work?

In today’s society, the term fortune is used in all sorts of ways, in addition to different definitions of the word. It is, however, like another word. Fortune reads your fortune. They watch Wheel of Fortune on TV or win their fortune through gambling. Fortune Magazine’s Fortune 500 list can appeal to a large business community. A person can spend a fortune with new shoes. These are a few, and in many ways the casual fortune of speech is used. The phrase soldier of fortune uses the word in an interesting way. A soldier of fortune, according to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, is “one who follows a military cause wherever there is promise of profit, danger, or pleasure” (2011). The first known use of Solder of Fortune was in 1661. People can find the use of fortune, in this sense, to intrigue and excite. A soldier of fortune boasts a life full of danger and is lovable as an escape from the norm, the boredom of everyday life. Another use of the word fortune can be found in an interesting quote by Athenian playwright, Euripides in which he said, “Fortune really helps those who judge well” (n.d., p. 3). What this means is that fortune favors those who make good decisions in life because of their sharp judgments. You can also interpret this passage to mean that those who judge well or recognize with a positive attitude, fortune smiles with them. From this information, you can see how people benefit emotionally or monetarily when the name of fortune is used in a positive way.

The term fortune is used in many ways and most people have different understandings of the term. Fortune, although it is said in various ways, the word can take the greatest pleasure when it is said in such a way as to brighten the lives of people who rarely experience luck. When you can be grateful for an amazing, changeable event, you can truly understand the deeper meaning of the word luck and appreciate what many people take for granted. On the other hand, you can encounter misfortune in every life and experience only the negative aspect of the word. As you can see, the word luck can take on a positive or negative meaning in a person’s life depending on the way the word is used.

Euripides, Quotes by Euripides, Quotationsbook.com; Fortune, Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary; Harper, D. Online Etymology Dictionary; soldier of fortune, Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

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