predestine

[pri-des-tin]

verb (used with object)

predestined, predestining 

1. to destine in advance; foreordain; predetermine.

   He seemed predestined for the ministry.

predestine

/ priːˈdɛstɪn /

verb

1. to foreordain; determine beforehand

2. theol (of God) to decree from eternity (any event, esp the final salvation of individuals)

Other Word Forms

• predestinable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of predestine¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English predestinen, from Latin praedestināre; pre-, destine

Word History and Origins

Origin of predestine¹

C14: from Latin praedestināre to resolve beforehand, from destināre to determine, _destine

Example Sentences

But for Escola, it seemed almost predestined, spoken into the universe so frequently it had to become true.

From Salon

In the final scene of “Forrest Gump,” a white feather dances from Forrest’s feet, into the air, representing one of the movie’s major threads: Are life’s joys and agonies predestined, or are they indiscriminate?

From Los Angeles Times

In Yoruba culture, which predominates in the south-west of the country, twins are a blessing and their names are predestined.

From BBC

Still, there is no convincing some siblings who insist their birth order has predestined their role in the family.

From New York Times

Washington’s starting linebackers, after all, were not predestined for this position.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• foreordain