First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
destine
verb des·tine \ˈdes-tən\
des·tineddes·tin·ing
Definition of DESTINE
transitive verb
1
: to decree beforehand : predetermine
2
a : to designate, assign, or dedicate in advance <the younger son was destined for the priesthood> <a trait that destines them to failure> b : to direct, devise, or set apart for a specific purpose or place <freight destined for European ports>
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Origin of DESTINE
Middle English, from Anglo-French destiner, from Latin destinare, from de- + -stinare (akin to Latin stare to stand) — more at stand
Related to DESTINE
- Synonyms
- doom, fate, foredoom, foreordain, ordain, predestine, predetermine, preordain
Rhymes with DESTINE
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