Dictionary of English - fatal or fateful

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If something is fatal it causes death: His second heart attack was fatal. If it is fateful it is ominous or decisive, perhaps bringing death, but perhaps not: That day was to be the fateful one for her. In popular speech, however, the two words are not differentiated: Have you seen the gory film Fatal Attraction?

Red and blue were taken from the arms of Paris. White was the colour of the Bourbon dynasty. Effective date: 5 March 1848. >>