Word of the Day for Monday November 7, 2005 propitious \pruh-PISH-uhs\, adjective: 1. Presenting favorable circumstances or conditions. 2. Favorably inclined; gracious; benevolent. By the early 1500s rice was being planted on the Cape Verde island most propitious for agriculture, Santiago. --Judith A. Carney, [1]Black Rice It is hard to imagine a less propitious start to a marriage: in a single blow Vincent forfeited the trust of his wife, the respect of her family, and the means of his own support. --Matthew Sturgis, [2]Aubrey Beardsley: A Biography If the fates are propitious we may succeed. --A. K. Green _________________________________________________________ Propitious derives from Latin propitius, "favorable." References 1. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/0674008340/ref=nosim/lexico 2. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/087951910X/ref=nosim/lexico Dictionary.com Entry and Pronunciation http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=9&q=propitious