opportunity

opportunity
\ \ [14] Opportunity has its origins in a Latin nautical term denoting ‘favourable winds’. This was opportūnus, a compound adjective formed from the prefix ob- ‘to’ and portus ‘harbour’ (source of English port). It was used originally for winds, ‘blowing towards the harbour’, and since it is good when such advantageous winds arrive, it developed metaphorically to ‘coming at a convenient time’.
\ \ From it English got opportune [15] and the derived opportunity. Opportunism [19] is a much more recent introduction, which originated in the world of Italian politics.
\ \ Cf.⇒ PORT

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • Opportunity — Mars Rover Opportunity (MER B), künstlerische Darstellung NSSDC ID 2003 032A Missionsziel Mars, Meridiani Planum Auftraggeber NASA …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • opportunity — op‧por‧tu‧ni‧ty [ˌɒpəˈtjuːnti ǁ ˌɑːpərˈtuː ] noun opportunities PLURALFORM [countable] a chance for you to do something successfully: • This is an excellent career opportunity for a recent graduate. • In order to make money, you will need to… …   Financial and business terms

  • Opportunity — may refer to: Opportunity International An International microfinance network that lends to the working poor Opportunity NYC is the experimental Conditional Cash Transfer program being launched in New York City Opportunity, Washington, a city in… …   Wikipedia

  • opportunity — opportunity, occasion, chance, break, time are comparable when they mean a state of affairs or a combination of circumstances favorable to some end. Opportunity is perhaps the most common of these terms; it applies to a situation which provides… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • opportunity — The expressions have (or take, etc.) the (or an, every, etc.) opportunity are followed either by a to infinitive or by of + verbal noun: • I was eager to snatch at every opportunity to get myself established as a writer, film maker, what have you …   Modern English usage

  • Opportunity — Op por*tu ni*ty, n.; pl. {Opportunities}. [F. opportunit[ e], L. opportunitas. See {Opportune}.] 1. Fit or convenient time or situation; a time or place permitting or favorable for the execution of a purpose; a suitable combination of conditions; …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • opportunity — I noun auspiciousness, chance, convenience, copia, fair chance, favorable chance, favorable time, fit time, fitting occasion, fitting time, fortuity, good chance, good fortune, hap, liberty, luck, occasio, occasion, opening, opportune moment,… …   Law dictionary

  • Opportunity — Opportunity, WA U.S. Census Designated Place in Washington Population (2000): 25065 Housing Units (2000): 10827 Land area (2000): 6.689717 sq. miles (17.326288 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000):… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Opportunity, WA — U.S. Census Designated Place in Washington Population (2000): 25065 Housing Units (2000): 10827 Land area (2000): 6.689717 sq. miles (17.326288 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 6.689717 sq. miles… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • opportunity — (n.) late 14c., from O.Fr. opportunite (13c.), from L. opportunitatem (nom. opportunitas) fitness, suitableness, favorable time, from opportunus (see OPPORTUNE (Cf. opportune)). Opportunity cost attested from 1911 …   Etymology dictionary

  • opportunity — [n] lucky chance; favorable circumstances befalling, break*, connection, contingency, convenience, cut*, event, excuse, fair shake*, fighting chance*, fitness, fling*, fortuity, freedom, go*, good fortune, good luck, happening, hope, hour, iron… …   New thesaurus

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