Vicissitude Definition
vĭ-sĭsĭ-to͝od, -tyo͝od
vicissitudes
noun
A change or variation.
An economy vulnerable to the vicissitudes of the oil market.
American Heritage
A condition of constant change or alternation, as a natural process; mutability.
The vicissitude of the sea.
Webster's New World
Regular succession or alternation, as of night and day.
Webster's New World
Unpredictable changes or variations that keep occurring in life, fortune, etc.; shifting circumstances; ups and downs.
Webster's New World
A difficulty that is likely to occur, esp. one that is inherent in a situation.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
- difficulty
- mutability
- alteration
- uncertainty
- diversity
- variety
- variation
- switch
- shift
- reversal
- mutation
- change
- rigor
- hardship
- Often used in plural: asperity
Antonyms:
Other Word Forms of Vicissitude
Noun
Singular:
vicissitudePlural:
vicissitudesOrigin of Vicissitude
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From Latin vicissitudo (“change"), from vicissim (“on the other hand, in turn"), from vicis (“change, vicissitude"), whence Spanish vez and French fois (“time (as in next time), occurrence").
From Wiktionary
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Latin vicissitūdō from vicissim in turn probably from vicēs pl. of vix change weik-2 in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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