propitious Meaning, Definition & Usage

adjective presenting favorable circumstances; likely to result in or show signs of success
- propitious omens
- propitious gales speeded us along
- a propitious alignment of planets for space exploration

L. propitius, perhaps originally a term of augury meaning, flying forward (pro) or well; cf. Skr. pat to fly, E. petition, feather.

Convenient; auspicious; favorable; kind; as, a propitious season; a propitious breeze.
Hence, kind; gracious; merciful; helpful; -- said of a person or a divinity. Milton.
And now t' assuage the force of this new flame, And make thee [Love] more propitious in my need. Spenser.
Syn. -- Auspicious; favorable; kind. -- Propitious, Auspicious. Auspicious (from the ancient idea of auspices, or omens) denotes "indicative of success," or "favored by incidental occurrences;" as, an auspicious opening; an auspicious event. Propitious denotes that which efficaciously protect us in some undertaking, speeds our exertions, and decides our success; as, propitious gales; propitious influences. -- Pro*pi"tious*ly, adv. -- Pro*pi"tious*ness, n.