destined, ppl. a.
(ˈdɛstɪnd)
[f. prec. vb. + -ed1.]
1. Appointed or fixed by fate, or by a divine decree or purpose; foreordained, predetermined, fated. (Now often in weakened sense = ‘that is (or was) to be’; cf. prec. 2.)
| 1597 Shakes. Lover's Compl. 156 But ah, who ever shunn'd by precedent The destined ill she must herself assay? 1637 Milton Lycidas 20 So may some gentle Muse With lucky words favour my destined urn. 1697 Dryden Virg. æneid 1, Before he won the Latian realm, and built the destin'd town. c 1703 Prior Ode Col. G. Villiers 92 The infernal judge's dreadful pow'r, From the dark urn shall throw thy destin'd hour. 1810 Scott Lady of L. i. xxiv, A destined errant knight I come, Announced by prophet sooth and old. 1887 Bowen Virg. æneid iii. 145 When this burden of woe to its destined end will be brought. |
† b. ‘Devoted’, doomed. Obs.
| a 1721 Prior (J.), May Heav'n around this destin'd head The choicest of its curses shed. |
2. Fixed in human intention; intended, designed: cf. prec. 3.
| 1661 Bramhall Just Vind. iv. 87 Their long destined project. 1709 Steele Tatler No. 58 ¶1 To restore her to her destined Husband. 1754 Dodsley Agric. iii. (R.), To reach the destin'd goal. |
b. spec. Fixed or appointed to go to a particular destination; = bound ppl. a.1 2.
| c 1790 Willock Voy. 20 [They] proceed to whatever ship they are destined. 1853 Phillips Rivers Yorksh. ix. 239 The troops destined for Britain, usually marched through Gaul. 1888 Pall Mall G. 3 Apr. 13/2 There were some railway phrases then [1838–9] introduced..You were asked the place to which you were ‘destined’, the place itself being your ‘destination’. |