'fatality' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'fatalitas' (from 'fatalis'), where 'fatum' meant 'fate' or 'that which has been spoken.'

'fatality' passed into English via Old French 'fatalité' and Middle English forms such as 'fatalite', eventually becoming the modern English word 'fatality'.

Initially, it referred to something decreed by fate or the quality of being fateful; over time it shifted to mean mainly 'death resulting from an accident, disaster, disease, etc.' in modern usage.