vicissitude
UK: vɪˈsɪsɪtjuːd | US: vɪˈsɪsɪtuːd
n. a change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant
n. (archaic) alternation between opposite or contrasting things
vicissitude = viciss<change/alternation> + itude<noun suffix indicating state or condition>
- viciss (from Latin vicis, meaning "change," "alternation," or "turn")
- itude (a suffix derived from Latin -itudo, used to form abstract nouns indicating a state or condition)
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin vicissitudo, from vicis ("turn" or "alternation"). It originally described cyclical changes or alternating states (e.g., day/night, seasons). Over time, it narrowed to emphasize unpredictable or challenging shifts in life, reflecting the Latin idea of "taking turns" in fortune. The suffix -itude formalizes the abstract concept of this fluctuating state.
The vicissitudes of life taught her resilience.
Historians study the vicissitudes of empires to understand their decline.
Farmers adapt to the vicissitudes of weather each season.
His career endured many vicissitudes before he found success.
The novel explores the vicissitudes of human relationships.