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

"It's said there's ane predestinate To be his mortal foe, But that man is yet unborn, And lang may it be so."

From The Scottish Fairy Book by Grierson, Elizabeth Wilson

"Whom He did foreknow He also did predestinate to be conformed to the Image of His Son."

From Natural Law in the Spiritual World by Drummond, Henry

Byron, the predestinate wanderer, and Rousseau, who never found rest, who complained that his birth was but the beginning of his misfortunes, le premier de mes malheurs—these are types of the less fortunate class.

From The Galaxy, April, 1877 Vol. XXIII.—April, 1877.—No. 4. by Various

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

Related Words

• foreordain