Oxford English Dictionary Assignment: Opportunity

When I think about how I define the word “opportunity”, the first thought that comes to my mind is being given the chance to do something, anything, whether big or small.  You can be given the opportunity of a lifetime, you can get a job opportunity, or maybe you have the opportunity to steal your friend’s last cookie while they aren’t looking.  Regardless of what it is, usually when you are given an opportunity it is a chance to take action, generally for a positive outcome.  

The word “opportunity” comes from Anglo-Norman, French, and classical Latin meaning favorable circumstances, occasion to do something, advantageousness, or timeliness.  It was first used in the early thirteenth century in Old French.  “Opportunity” was introduced in Italian in the early fourteenth century. Therefore this word came into the English language through the process of borrowing.  

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, one definition of “opportunity” is “senses relating to favorable circumstances, position, etc.”  When observing quotes from different time periods in English using “opportunity” under this definition, I noticed a trend.  As the dates become more recent, the quotes have more to do with jobs, companies, and making money.  For example, in 1971, H. Macmillan said “the opportunity of acquiring half the shares in the Regent Oil Company-the other moiety was held by Caltex”.  Though, in earlier centuries, the word “opportunity” was used in expressions or to describe gaining or losing something.  For example, in 1659, N.R. Proverbs stated “opportunity makes a thief”.  And in 1773, S. Johnson said “the wind is now changed, and if we snatch the window of opportunity, an escape from this island is become practicable”.  Both of these quotes are witty sayings that show that opportunity creates options. 

Another definition that the Oxford English dictionary provides for “opportunity” is “the convenience, suitability, or advantageousness of a site or position, especially for being readily accessible”.  This definition was mainly used from the mid fifteen hundreds throughout the seventeen hundreds.  A good example of this is from Gibbon’s Decline and Fall from 1781; “Augustus, who had observed the opportunity of the place, prepared a capacious harbor”.  “Opportunity” in its contemporary form is generally not used with this definition.  Today, “opportunity” is used quite generously in the working world.  “Job opportunity” is a common phrase that one hears today is our society.  Sometimes one might say if you don’t take an opportunity you could run the risk of losing a business.  So the word opportunity in its contemporary usage is generally revolved around the working world.

Exploring the word “opportunity” will help me interpret the readings and discussions in this course because we observe how “other” is defined, and we are given the opportunity to look deeper into the different ways that people live their lives.  Knowing the true meaning and ways to use “opportunity” is important because the research we conduct in this course is going to provide us with the opportunity to be more open minded and accept change. 

 

Works Cited 

"Oxford English Dictionary." Opportunity. 3rd. Oxford University Press, 2011. Web. 3 Feb 2012.