In this Grade 8 lesson from Vocabulary from Latin and Greek Roots, Level XI, students learn vocabulary derived from five Latin roots connected to fate, luck, and fortune: FORT (fortuitus, "happening by chance"), AUSP (auspex, "fortune-teller"), DEST (destinare, "to determine"), SORT (sors, "chance"), and PROPIT (propitius, "favorable"). Key terms include fortuitous, auspicious, predestination, consortium, consort, and propitiate, each explored through etymology, definitions, and contextual examples. Students build both word knowledge and an understanding of how ancient Roman beliefs about fate and omens shaped modern English vocabulary.
Section 1
Root: FORT - chance
This group of words comes from the root FORT, stemming from the Latin fortuitus, meaning "happening by chance."
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| fortuitous (adj.) | Happening by a lucky accident or chance; fortunate |
| fortuity (n.) | Chance or accident |
Section 2
Root: AUSP - fortune-teller
This group is built on the root AUSP, from the Latin auspex, meaning "bird-watcher, fortune-teller."
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| auspices (n.) | Protection or support; patronage |
| auspicious (adj.) | Followed by favorable circumstances |
Section 3
Root: DEST - to determine
These words share the root DEST, from the Latin destinare, meaning "to determine."
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| predestination (n.) | The belief that one's fate has been determined in advance by a higher power |
| destine (v.) | Intend for a specific end or purpose |
Section 4
Root: SORT - chance, fate
This group comes from the root SORT, from the Latin sors, meaning "chance, lot, fate."
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| consortium (n.) | A group of companies or institutions |
| consort (v.) | To keep company; associate |
| consort (n.) | A companion, especially a romantic one |
Section 5
Root: PROPIT - favorable
These words are derived from the Latin root PROPIT, from propitius, meaning "favorable."
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| propitious (adj.) | Lucky; favorable |
| propitiate (v.) | To soothe or satisfy; to appease |
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Section 1
Root: FORT - chance
This group of words comes from the root FORT, stemming from the Latin fortuitus, meaning "happening by chance."
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| fortuitous (adj.) | Happening by a lucky accident or chance; fortunate |
| fortuity (n.) | Chance or accident |
Section 2
Root: AUSP - fortune-teller
This group is built on the root AUSP, from the Latin auspex, meaning "bird-watcher, fortune-teller."
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| auspices (n.) | Protection or support; patronage |
| auspicious (adj.) | Followed by favorable circumstances |
Section 3
Root: DEST - to determine
These words share the root DEST, from the Latin destinare, meaning "to determine."
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| predestination (n.) | The belief that one's fate has been determined in advance by a higher power |
| destine (v.) | Intend for a specific end or purpose |
Section 4
Root: SORT - chance, fate
This group comes from the root SORT, from the Latin sors, meaning "chance, lot, fate."
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| consortium (n.) | A group of companies or institutions |
| consort (v.) | To keep company; associate |
| consort (n.) | A companion, especially a romantic one |
Section 5
Root: PROPIT - favorable
These words are derived from the Latin root PROPIT, from propitius, meaning "favorable."
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| propitious (adj.) | Lucky; favorable |
| propitiate (v.) | To soothe or satisfy; to appease |
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