destine
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to set apart for a particular use, purpose, etc.; design; intend.
-
to appoint or ordain beforehand, as by divine decree; foreordain; predetermine.
verb
Etymology
Origin of destine
1250–1300; Middle English destinen < Old French destiner < Latin dēstināre to establish, determine, equivalent to dē- de- + *stanāre, derivative of stāre to stand
Explanation
The verb destine means to predetermine the way something will end up. In Greek mythology, sharing fire with humans destines Prometheus to have his liver eaten by an eagle every day. Um, thanks? Scientists believe that failing to reverse climate change will destine our planet to some irreversible negative effects. And refusing to take swimming lessons might destine you to feeling left out every summer, as you watch your friends diving into pools and swimming holes. The Old French root is destinée, "purpose, intent, fate, or destiny."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I’m the only surgeon over there,” said Dr. Edward Destine, an orthopedic surgeon, waving toward a temporary operating room of corrugated tin set up near the airport in Les Cayes.
From New York Times • Aug. 15, 2021
Taking a break from tending to the injured, Dr. Destine, the orthopedic surgeon, was trying to get his own father, also a surgeon, to the United States for treatment.
From New York Times • Aug. 15, 2021
A Department of Correction spokeswoman said Kolenovic, 40, and Destine, 42, have been placed on modified duty, pending further disciplinary proceedings.
From Washington Times • Sep. 4, 2015
Her Pace, pace, mio Dio from La Forza del Destine and Voi lo sapete from Cavalleria Rusticana, helped by modern engineering, are improvements over most of the collectors' classics from the Golden Age.
From Time Magazine Archive
The City Opera's energetic little Director Laszlo Halasz had pulled out all the stops to put on Troubled Island; he had Haitian Jean Leon Destine and his troupe to do the voodoo dances.
From Time Magazine Archive
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
