predestinate

1 of 2

adjective

pre·​des·​ti·​nate prē-ˈde-stə-nət How to pronounce predestinate (audio)
-ˌnāt
: destined, fated, or determined beforehand

predestinate

2 of 2

verb

pre·​des·​ti·​nate prē-ˈde-stə-ˌnāt How to pronounce predestinate (audio)
predestinated; predestinating

transitive verb

1
: to foreordain to an earthly or eternal lot or destiny by divine decree
2
archaic : predetermine

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin praedestinatus, past participle of praedestinare

Verb

Middle English, from Latin praedestinatus, past participle

First Known Use

Adjective

1528, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of predestinate was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near predestinate

Cite this Entry

“Predestinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predestinate. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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