predestinate

American  

[pri-des-tuh-neyt, pri-des-tuh-nit, -neyt] / prɪˈdɛs təˌneɪt, prɪˈdɛs tə nɪt, -ˌneɪt /

verb (used with object)

predestinated, predestinating

1. Theology. to foreordain by divine decree or purpose.

2. Obsolete. to foreordain; predetermine.

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adjective

1. predestined; foreordained.

predestinate British  

verb

1. (tr) another word for predestine

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adjective

1. predestined or foreordained

2. theol subject to predestination; decided by God from all eternity

Other Word Forms

• predestinately adverb

Etymology

Origin of predestinate

1350–1400; Middle English predestinaten (v.) < Latin praedestinātus, past participle of praedestināre to appoint beforehand. See pre-, destine, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

I have recently learned that I am But a creature that moves In predestinate grooves.

From Time Magazine Archive

I will be partaker of that which Fortune shall prepare, vntill the heauens doe mitigate their rage vpon you, and your predestinate mishap.”

From The Palace of Pleasure Volume 3 by Painter, William

I looked into their faces, grown at once grave and predestinate; the shadow was there, a cloud upon their brows, a veil across the brightness of their eyes.

From Lawrence Clavering by Mason, A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley)

See also Rom. viii, 29, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son,” and “whom he did predestinate —he called—justified—and sanctified.”

From Calvinistic Controversy Embracing a Sermon on Predestination and Election and Several Numbers, Formally Published in the Christian Advocate and Journal. by Fisk, Wilbur

Supposing, after all, there is no predestinate engineer!

From Anticipations Of the Reaction of Mechanical and Scientific Progress upon Human life and Thought by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)

Related Words

• foreordain