Prosperous, a. [L. prosperus or prosper, originally, answering to hope; pro according to + the root of sperare to hope. See Despair.]
1. Tending to prosperity; favoring; favorable; helpful.
A happy passage and a prosperous wind. Denham.
2. Being prospered; advancing in the pursuit of anything desirable; making gain, or increase; thriving; successful; as, a prosperous voyage; a prosperous undertaking; a prosperous man or nation.
By moderation either state to bear Prosperous or adverse. Milton.
2 more senses
Syn. -- Fortunate; successful; flourishing; thriving; favorable; auspicious; lucky. See Fortunate.
-- Pros"per*ous*ly, adv. --Pros"per*ous*ness, n.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for prosperous; he lists it under fortunate, happy.
Where he writes about it:
One is said to be happy or prosperous whether his prosperity be the result of fortune or of achievement; prospered rather denotes the action of a superintending Providence. — from fortunate