vicissitude

n.

1. 1. A change or variation.
   2. The quality of being changeable; mutability.
2. One of the sudden or unexpected changes or shifts often encountered in one's life, activities, or surroundings. Often used in the plural. See synonyms at difficulty.

[Latin vicissitūdō, from vicissim, in turn, probably from vicēs, pl. of *vix, change.]

noun

Something that obstructs progress and requires great effort to overcome. asperity, difficulty, hardship, rigor. Idioms: ahardtoughnut to crack, ahardtoughrow to hoe, heavy sledding. See easy/hard.

n

Definition: change
Antonyms: stability, stagnation

---

IN BRIEF: Constant change as a natural process. Also: A surprising and complete change.

We can count on the vicissitude of the seasons throughout the year.

Tutor's tip: This word was used in the 2006 Scripps National Spelling Bee finals.

Dansk (Danish)
n. - omskiftelse

Nederlands (Dutch)
natuurlijke verandering, op- en neergaande omstandigheden, veranderlijkheid, opvolgende veranderingen, ontbering/ moeilijkheid, afwisseling

Français (French)
n. - vicissitude (sout)

Deutsch (German)
n. - Unbeständigkeit, Wechsel(fälle)

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - μεταστροφή, καπρίτσιο της τύχης, αναποδιά

Italiano (Italian)
vicissitudine

Português (Portuguese)
n. - vicissitude (f), alteração (f)

Русский (Russian)
превратность, чередование

Español (Spanish)
n. - vicisitud, avatar

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - växling

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
变化, 荣枯, 变迁

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 變化, 榮枯, 變遷

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 변화, 부침, 순환

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 移り変わり, 栄枯

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) تقلب ( الايام), تحول‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮עליות ומורדות, תהפוכות, תמורות, שינויים‬

If you are unable to view some languages clearly, click here.

To select your translation preferences click here.