1650s, from Latin fortuitus "happening by chance, casual, accidental," from forte "by chance," ablative of fors "chance" (related to fortuna; see fortune). It means "accidental, undesigned" not "fortunate." Earlier in this sense was fortuit (late 14c.), from French. Related: Fortuitously; fortuitousness.
fortuitous encounters--strange accidents of fortune
profits were enhanced by a fortuitous drop in the cost of raw materials
fortitude
fortitudinous
fortnight
Fortran
fortress
fortuitous
fortuity
fortunate
fortunately
fortune
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