Definition of fatal

The word "fatal" can be traced back to the Latin word "fatale," which means "destiny" or "something decreed." The Latin word, in turn, stemmed from the Greek word "moira," which also meant "destiny" or "fate." In Middle English, the word "fatale" was first used as a noun, referred to as "fata," meaning "fate" or "destiny." This word was later Anglicized to "fate" and adapted into modern English. Around the 14th century, "fate" began to be used as an adjective, and by the 15th century, the word "fatal" had been coined in the Middle English language as a derivative of "fate." The term "fatal" came to mean "causing or resulting in death or misfortune" in modern English, owing to its association with fatality or death. Over time, the word's meaning evolved from its original resonance with fatefulness, destiny or doom, as the concept of fatalities stemmed from classical theories of destiny and the influence of the stars. In summary, the origin of the word "fatal" can be traced back to the Latin word "fatale," which was derived from the Greek word "moira," meaning "destiny" or "fate." The word evolved through various Middle English modifications, eventually taking on its current meaning as a prefix added to words that specifically signify the cause of death or misfortune.