Also kismat, kismut. [Turk. kismet, Pers. qismat, a. Arab. qisma(t) portion, lot, fate, f. qasama to divide.] Destiny, fate.
1836. Hampshire Advertiser, 5 Nov., 1/1. The plague is getting worse and worse, particularly among the Turks, many of whom, adhering to their old prejudices about Kismet, disdain to use precautions for their protection.
1849. E. B. Eastwick, Dry Leaves, 46. One day a man related to me a story of Kismat or destiny.
1865. Mrs. Gaskell, in Cornh. Mag., Feb., 219. It’s a pity when these old Saxon houses vanish off the land; but it is ‘kismet’ with the Hamleys.
1883. F. M. Crawford, Mr. Isaacs, i. 19. The stars or the fates … or whatever you like to term your kismet.
