destined
UK[ˈdestɪnd]US[ˈdestɪnd]
adj
certain to happen or to do something
adj
intended for a particular purpose or person
Morpheme Breakdown
de
stine
ed
de
down, away, completely
stine
to stand, make firm, determine
ed
Etymology
the word 'destined' originates from the latin verb 'destinare', meaning 'to make firm, establish, determine'. this verb itself is composed of the intensive prefix 'de-' and the root 'stanare', derived from 'stare' (to stand), which traces back to the proto-indo-european root sta- (to stand, make or be firm). the concept evolved from the literal sense of fixing something in place to the figurative sense of fixing a future outcome. entering english via old french 'destiner', the past participle form 'destined' came to describe a state of being firmly determined or preordained by fate or intention.
Analysis
Structure: de + stine + ed
de- (latin origin, prefix meaning 'down, away, completely')
stine (from latin root 'stanare', meaning 'to stand, make firm, determine')
-ed (old english, suffix forming past participles and adjectives)
Examples
she seemed destined for a brilliant career in medicine.
the letter was destined never to reach him.
they felt they were destined to meet each other.