fortu-, fortun-

(Latin: chance, fate, luck)

misfortunate (adjective), more misfortunate, most misfortunate
Descriptive of something that is pitiable, very sad, and deserving of sympathy: Mark made a most misfortunate investment in the shipping company because when they lost so many ships during the hurricanes, they were bankrupt.
misfortune (s) (noun), misfortunes (pl)
1. An unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from a bad event: It was a terrible misfortune when Brian's computer crashed just before he could save all of the contents he was working on.
2. A calamity; a mishap: Jason had the misfortune of having a flat tire just before he was about to set off on a cross-country trip.
unfortunate (adjective), more unfortunate, most unfortunate
1. Never experiencing good luck: Mr. Smee experienced the unfortunate experience of losing a lot of money at the racetrack at the beginning of the racing season.
2. Accompanied by or bringing bad luck: Many people, including my friend Jack, believe that certain dates on the calendar are unfortunate dates and you should not try to do any important activities.
3. Not appropriate to a given situation: It was an unfortunate gaffe when Lucy's little girl started to giggle in the middle of the formal ceremony.
unfortunately (adverb), more unfortunately, most unfortunately
1. Used when someone wishes something were not true: Unfortunately, Jim didn't get to the station in time to catch the train to work.
2. In a way that is inappropriate to a given situation: The plane unfortunately was not able to land safely during the severe storm.
Vitam regit fortuna non sapientia.(Latin proverb)
Translation: "Chance, not wisdom, governs human life."

Another interpretation: "Life is mostly a matter of luck."

A cross reference of other word family units that are related directly, or indirectly, to: "chance, luck, fate": aleato-; auspic-; cad-; -mancy; serendipity; sorc-; temer-; tycho-.