Story Words
OPPORTUNITY. An opportunity is a specific occasion which is favourable for executing certain purposes. The Latin ob, before, and portus, harbour present a picture of vessels in a comfortable harbour —and therefore easy of access. So, opportunity seems to guarantee success or advantage, being a conjunction of circumstances which makes certain action possible and favourable. Importunity, its opposite, by its derivation meant originally not in a harbour—and a ship in such a position is, of course, difficult of access. From this grew a meaning of persistent urging with a sense of unseasonableness. Occasions, often considered a synonym for opportunity, means little else than a time for a certain action or a chance juncture of occurrences. Opportunity has the predominant implication of well-timed and seasonable conditions which favour a successful termination of events. In op-por-tu’-ni-ty the third syllable is accented. Sound the o as in odd, o as in for, u as in Use, i as in till. “Seizing upon opportunity is one of the virtues which must command success.”
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST19291123.2.99.12
Bibliographic details
Southland Times, Issue 20939, 23 November 1929, Page 23
Word Count
171Story Words Southland Times, Issue 20939, 23 November 1929, Page 23
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