opportune

opportune
['ɒpətju:n, ˌɒpə'tju:n]
adjective (of a time) especially convenient or appropriate.
↘appropriately timed.
Derivatives
opportunely adverb
opportuneness noun
Word History
Opportune comes from Latin opportunus, denoting a favourable wind blowing towards the harbour (as opposed to one that would blow a ship out to sea), from ob- 'in the direction of' and portus 'harbour'. From this developed the English sense 'advantageous' and also the noun opportunity. The Romans gave the name Portunus to the god who protected their harbours: from his name derives the negative word importunate, which originally meant 'inconvenient', and the related verb importune.

English new terms dictionary. 2014.

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  • Opportune — may refer to: HMS Opportune (S20), an Oberon class submarine USS Opportune (ARS 41), a Bolster class rescue and salvage ship See also Opportunity (disambiguation) Sainte Opportune This disambiguation page lists articles as …   Wikipedia

  • Opportune — Op por*tune , a. [F. opporiun, L. opportunus, lit., at or before the port; ob (see {Ob }) + a derivative of portus port, harbor. See {Port} harbor.] Convenient; ready; hence, seasonable; timely. Milton. [1913 Webster] This is most opportune to… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Opportune — Op por*tune , v. t. To suit. [Obs.] Dr. Clerke(1637). [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • opportune — I adjective advantageous, appropriate, apt, auspicious, befitting, commodus, convenient, due, expedient, fit, fitting, idoneus, opportunus, propitious, providential, seasonable, suitable, suited, timely, well timed II index …   Law dictionary

  • opportune — c.1400, from L. opportunus favorable, from the phrase ob portum veniens coming toward a port, in reference to the wind, from ob to, toward (see OB (Cf. ob )) + portus harbor (see PORT (Cf. port) (1)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • opportune — *seasonable, timely, well timed, pat Analogous words: happy, felicitous, appropriate, fitting (see FIT adj): propitious, auspicious, *favorable: ready, prompt, *quick, apt Antonyms: inopportune …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • opportune — [adj] advantageous, lucky appropriate, apt, auspicious, convenient, favorable, felicitous, fit, fitting, fortuitous, fortunate, happy, helpful, pat, proper, propitious, seasonable, suitable, timely, timeous, well timed; concepts 548,572 Ant.… …   New thesaurus

  • opportune — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ done or occurring at an especially convenient or appropriate time. DERIVATIVES opportunely adverb. ORIGIN Latin opportunus, from ob in the direction of + portus harbour , originally describing the wind driving towards the harbour,… …   English terms dictionary

  • opportune — [äp΄ər to͞on′, äp΄ərtyo͞on′] adj. [ME < MFr < L opportunus, lit., at or before the port < ob (see OB ) + portus,PORT1] 1. right for the purpose; fitting in regard to circumstances: said of time 2. happening or done at the right time;… …   English World dictionary

  • Opportune — Sainte Opportune La plus ancienne représentation de la sainte en Normandie (abbaye de Lessay, XIIIe siècle) …   Wikipédia en Français

  • opportune — opportunely, adv. opportuneness, n. /op euhr toohn , tyoohn /, adj. 1. appropriate, favorable, or suitable: an opportune phrase for the occasion. 2. occurring or coming at an appropriate time; well timed: an opportune warning. [1375 1425; late ME …   Universalium

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