Fōrt'ūne1, n.
(fôrt'/yŭn, 30), n. [Fr. fortune, from Lat. fortuna, a protracted form of fors; Pr., Sp., Pg., & It. fortuna. See FORTUITOUS.]
Sense 1. The arrival of something in a sudden or unexpected manner; chance; accident; luck; fortuity; hap; also, the personified or deified power regarded as determining human success, sharing happiness and unhappiness, and distributing arbitrarily or fortuitously the lots of life.
'Tis more by fortune than by merit. Shak.
O Fortune, Fortune, all men call thee fickle. Shak.
Fortune a goddess is to fools alone. Dryden, Jr.
Sense 2. Appointed lot in life, or success in any particular undertaking; fate; destiny.
You, who men's fortunes in their faces read. Cowley.
A private conscience sorts not with a public calling, but declares that person rather meant by nature for a private fortune. Milton.
Sense 3. That which befalls one; that which comes as the result of an undertaking or of a course of action; event; good or ill success; especially, favorable issue; happy event; success.
There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Shak.
In you the fortune of Great Britain lies. Dryden.
Our equal crimes shall equal fortune give. Dryden.
Sense 4. That which falls to one as his lot in life; estate; possessions; wealth; especially, large estate; great wealth.
His father dying, he was driven to London to seek his fortune. Swift.
Synonyms—Chance; accident; luck; fate.