Divined Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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divined

[dษชหˆvaษชnd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

spiritual insight

Divined refers to the act of discovering something through intuition or insight, often of a spiritual or mystical nature. It implies gaining knowledge that is not readily accessible through ordinary means, sometimes through the use of supernatural or religious methods.

Synonyms

foretold, perceived, predicted.

Examples of usage

  • She divined the future through her tarot cards.
  • He claimed to have divined the whereabouts of the lost artifact.
  • They divined the truth from the signs given to them.
Context #2 | Verb

guessing

Divined can also mean to form an idea or guess about something through intuition or reasoning. In this sense, it pertains to inferring conclusions based on incomplete information.

Synonyms

concluded, deduced, inferred.

Examples of usage

  • She divined that he was hiding something.
  • Using context clues, he divined the meaning of the ancient text.
  • From their silence, she divined their disapproval.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Religious Context

  • Many ancient cultures practiced divination to communicate with the divine, often looking for guidance or predictions about the future.
  • In various religions, prophets are believed to hold the power to divine knowledge or reveal the will of a higher power.
  • Terms like 'oracle' in Greek mythology associated divine insight with specific individuals or locations capable of providing guidance.

Cultural Practices

  • In Feng Shui, practitioners divine the placement of objects to ensure harmony in living spaces.
  • Tarot card reading is a modern form of divination where cards are used to gain insight about one's life path or decisions.
  • Many indigenous cultures use rituals, such as smoke signals or bone casting, to divine truths about the future.

Psychology

  • The ability to divine can relate to intuition, which is often described as the subconscious mind communicating with conscious thought.
  • Cognitive psychology explores how people sometimes 'know' things without rational thought, tapping into deeper instincts.
  • Divination practices can also serve as a coping mechanism, helping individuals manage uncertainty or fear by providing a sense of control.

Art and Literature

  • Divining is a common theme in many classic tales, where characters seek omens or guidance from the divine to influence their fate.
  • In Shakespeare's 'Hamlet', the protagonist engages in metaphorical 'divining' through his quest for truth in a deceptive world.
  • The concept of divination plays a crucial role in magical realism, blending the supernatural with reality in modern literature.

Origin of 'divined'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from Latin 'divinare', meaning to foresee or to foretell.
  • In Old French, 'diviner' carried the meaning of interpreting signs or omens.
  • The transformation into English occurred in the late 14th century, where it took on mystical connotations.

The word 'divined' comes from the Middle English 'divinen,' which means to foresee or foretell. This, in turn, originates from the Latin 'divinare,' meaning 'to foresee, to predict,' derived from 'divinus,' meaning 'divine.' The sense of the word has evolved from its original connotation of seeking knowledge through divine inspiration to more contemporary usages related to intuition and insight. The practice of divination has been a part of human culture for centuries, reflecting the desire to understand the unknown and to predict future events. Over time, the term has come to apply not only to spiritual practices but also to more general processes of deduction and inference.


Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,492, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.