fate
UK: feɪt | US: feɪt
n. 1. The development of events beyond a person's control, regarded as predetermined by a supernatural power.
n. 2. The ultimate outcome or destiny of a person or thing.
n. 3. (literary) Death or destruction, especially in battle.
The word "fate" traces back to Latin fatum, meaning "that which has been spoken" or "a prophetic declaration," derived from fari ("to speak"). This reflects the ancient belief that destiny was decreed by divine utterance. The term entered Middle English via Old French fate, retaining its core sense of inevitability. The morpheme fat preserves the original Latin root's connection to speech and divine will, while -e serves as a phonetic bridge without independent meaning.
She believed her fate was sealed the moment she made the decision.
The Greeks often depicted fate as three goddesses who spun the thread of life.
Despite his efforts, he couldn’t escape his tragic fate.
The prophecy foretold the fate of the kingdom.
Many cultures have myths explaining the role of fate in human lives.