■ noun
1》 the development of events outside a person's control, regarded as predetermined by a supernatural power.
2》 the outcome of a situation for someone or something.
3》 the unescapable death of a person.
4》 ( the Fates ) Greek & Roman Mythology the three goddesses (Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos) who preside over the birth and life of humans.
■ verb ( be ~d ) be destined to happen or turn out in a particular way.
Phrases
seal someone's ~ make it inevitable that something unpleasant will happen to someone.
Origin
ME: from Ital. fato or (later) from its source, L. fatum 'that which has been spoken', from fari 'speak'.