Vicissitude comes from the Latin word vicissitūdō, meaning “change” or “alternation.” In English, it has been used since the early 16th century to describe a change or variation occurring in the course of something, especially life or fortune. Vicissitudes can be found in many different contexts, from history and literature to personal experience and psychology. Today, vicissitude remains a less commonly used word in English, but is still occasionally employed in artistic or philosophical contexts.