Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913
Propitious
Pro·pi′tious (·pĭsh′ŭs), a. [L. propitius, perhaps originally a term of augury meaning, flying forward (pro) or well; cf. Skr. pat to fly, E. petition, feather.]
1. Convenient; auspicious; favorable; kind; as, a propitious season; a propitious breeze.
2. Hence, kind; gracious; merciful; helpful; - - said of a person or a divinity. Milton.
And now t' assuage the force of this new flame, And make thee [Love] more propitious in my need. Spenser.
Syn. — Auspicious; favorable; kind. — Propitious, Auspicious. Auspicious (from the ancient idea of auspices, or omens) denotes "indicative of success," or "favored by incidental occurrences;" as, an auspicious opening; an auspicious event. Propitious denotes that which efficaciously protect us in some undertaking, speeds our exertions, and decides our success; as, propitious gales; propitious influences.
— Pro·pi′tious·ly, adv. — Pro·pi′tious·ness, n.