prosperity
/prɒˈspɛrɪti/
noun
Origin
Latin
prosperitas — success, good fortune
Overview
Meaning Now
- The state of being successful, usually by having a lot of money or financial wealth.
- A condition of good fortune, thriving, or flourishing.
Literal older meaning
the state of having things according to one's hope
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
prosperite
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The word stems from the Latin 'prosperus', which originally meant 'agreeable to one's hopes' (pro 'for' + spes 'hope'). It entered English during the Middle English period, reflecting the influence of French on the administrative and courtly language of the time.
Evolution
- Latin
prosper
“favorable, lucky”
From *pro* (for) + *spes* (hope).
- Old French
prosperité
“success”
- Middle English
prosperite
“a state of thriving”
- Modern English
prosperity
“financial success”
Connections
Word parts
prosper
root
thriving
-ity
suffix
state or condition of
Related across languages
French
prospérité
prosperity
Spanish
prosperidad
prosperity
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Related to prosperity
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.