predetermine, v.
(priːdɪˈtɜːmɪn)
[ad. Chr. L. prædētermināre (Augustine), f. præ, pre- A. 1 + dētermināre to determine. Cf. F. prédéterminer (1530 in Hatz.-Darm.).]
trans. To determine beforehand (in various senses: cf. determine).
1. trans. To fix, settle, or decide beforehand; to ordain or decree beforehand, to predestine. Also with obj. clause or inf.
| 1625 Donne Serm. lxvi. (1640) 668 That there was a concurrence of the whole Trinity, to make me in Adam, according to that Image which they were, and according to that Idea, which they had pre-determined. a 1667 Jer. Taylor Serm. I. ix. (R.), God..prepared joys infinite and never ceasing for man before he had created him; but he did not predetermine him to any evil. 1722 De Foe Plague (1840) 13 Every man's end being predetermined, and unalterably beforehand decreed. 1841 Myers Cath. Th. iv. xv. 259 The Gospel was no after-thought, as it were,..but came to pass as God had predetermined. 1884 W. J. Courthope Addison ix. 176 It had evidently been predetermined by the designers of the Spectator that the Club should consist of certain recognised and familiar types. |
2. To give an antecedent direction or tendency to; to direct or impel beforehand (to something).
| a 1667 Jer. Taylor Serm. Tit. ii. 7 Wks. 1850 VIII. 520 We are so prepossessed and predetermined to misconstruction by false apostles without, and prevailing passions within. 1678 Gale Crt. Gentiles III. 16 The wil predetermined to one act has an habitual indifference or radical flexibilitie to the opposite act. 1858 Buckle Civiliz. (1873) II. viii. 576 Those general causes..were predetermining the nation to habits of loyalty and of superstition, which grew to a height fatal to the spirit of liberty. |
3. intr. To determine or resolve beforehand or previously (to do something).
| 1823 F. Clissold Ascent Mt. Blanc 23, I should instantly have proceeded to the summit, had I not predetermined to abide by whatever advice the guides might..give. 1848 Lytton Harold viii. vi, He had almost predetermined to assent to his brother's prayer. |
Hence predeˈtermining ppl. a.
| a 1678 Marvell Def. J. Howe Wks. (Grosart) IV. 175 Another while, 'tis predetermining influence. a 1854 B. B. Edwards in Spurgeon Treas. Dav. Ps. cxxxix. VII. 231 If, anterior to all finite existence, his predetermining decree went forth. |