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Where does the word "destiny" come from? It comes from Latin destinare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "destiny" come from? It comes from Latin destinare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Destiny’s story begins in Latin: destinare meant “to make firm, determine.” Related to 'stare', to stand. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as destinee. What is determined. It reached English by 1300s as destiny. 'destination' shares the root. Today, destiny means events that will happen to someone in the future.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient destinare "to make firm, determine", related to 'stare', to stand.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval destinee "fate", what is determined.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s destiny "fate", 'destination' shares the root.