a. [ L. propitius, perhaps originally a term of augury meaning, flying forward (pro) or well; cf. Skr. pat to fly, E. petition, feather. ] [ 1913 Webster ] 1. Convenient; auspicious; favorable; kind; as, a propitious season; a propitious breeze. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Hence, kind; gracious; merciful; helpful; -- said of a person or a divinity. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] And now t' assuage the force of this new flame,
And make thee [ Love ] more propitious in my need. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ] Syn. -- Auspicious; favorable; kind. -- Propitious, Auspicious. Auspicious (from the ancient idea of auspices, or omens) denotes “indicative of success, ” or “favored by incidental occurrences;” as, an auspicious opening; an auspicious event. Propitious denotes that which efficaciously protect us in some undertaking, speeds our exertions, and decides our success; as, propitious gales; propitious influences. [ 1913 Webster ] -- Pro*pi"tious*ly, adv. -- Pro*pi"tious*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ] | 