8/24/2015
Merriam­Webster Unabridged
vi·cis·si·tude noun
\vә­ˈsi­sә­ˌt(y)üd, vī­\
plural ­s
1 a : the quality or state of being changeable or in flux : MUTABILITY
<the vicissitude of human condition>
b : natural change or mutation : the rise and decline of phenomena : the successive
alterations visible in nature or in human affairs
<the vicissitudes of time and chance have left only 9 of the 30 trees — American Guide
Series: Michigan>
2 a : an accident of fortune : a shift of luck or vagary of chance : a fluctuation in condition
(as of wealth, prosperity, or happiness)
<lovers not only faithful but patient in the face of remarkable vicissitudes — Claudia
Cassidy>
b : alternating change : SUCCESSION
<such alternations of energy and inertia, such sudden vicissitudes of greatness and decay
— Irving Babbitt>
Origin of VICISSITUDE
Middle French, from Latin vicissitudo, from vicissim in turn (from vicis change, alternation, stead) +
­tudo ­tude — more at WEEK
First Known Use: circa 1576 (sense 1a)
Related to VICISSITUDE
See Synonym Discussion at difficulty
Pronunciation Symbols
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