predestination
NounUS[pree-des-tuh-ney-shuhn]/ˌpriˌdɛstəˈneɪʃən/5 syllables
Open English WordNet
Noun (2)
- previous determination as if by destiny or fateType of destiny, fate
- (theology) being determined in advance; especially the doctrine (usually associated with Calvin) that God has foreordained every event throughout eternity (including the final salvation of mankind)Synonyms: foreordinationpreordinationpredeterminationType of theological doctrineKinds election
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Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Pre·des′ti·na′tion noun
Origin: L. praedestinatio: cf. F. prédestination.
1. The act of predestinating.
Predestination had overruled their will.— John Milton
2. Theology The purpose of Good from eternity respecting all events; especially, the preordination of men to everlasting happiness or misery. See Calvinism.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54
The Devil's Dictionary
PREDESTINATION, n. The doctrine that all things occur according to programme. This doctrine should not be confused with that of foreordination, which means that all things are programmed, but does not affirm their occurrence, that being only an implication from other doctrines by which this is entailed. The difference is great enough to have deluged Christendom with ink, to say nothing of the gore. With the distinction of the two doctrines kept well in mind, and a reverent belief in both, one may hope to escape perdition if spared.