Divines: meaning, definitions and examples
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divines
[ dɪˈvaɪnz ]
religious context
Divines are individuals who are recognized for their extraordinary knowledge or expertise in theology or religion. They often hold positions such as clergy or scholars in religious institutions.
Synonyms
clergymen, religious scholars, theologians
Examples of usage
- Many divines interpret ancient scriptures.
- The conference gathered various divines from different faiths.
- She studied under prominent divines during her theological education.
predicting or guessing
To divine means to discover or declare something through intuition or supernatural insight. It often refers to the practice of foretelling the future or seeking hidden knowledge, traditionally using methods like divination.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- He claimed to divine the outcome of the event.
- They used a pendulum to divine answers.
- She could divine feelings that others kept hidden.
Etymology
The word 'divine' originates from the Latin term 'divinus', which means 'of God, divine, or godlike'. This Latin term can be traced back to the root word 'deus', meaning 'God'. Over time, 'divine' found its way into Middle English as 'divin', used primarily to describe things related to the worship of deities. The evolution of this word reflects the deep connection between language, culture, and spirituality. As societies developed, the term came to represent not just the divine nature of deities but also capturing exceptional qualities in individuals who possess wisdom or insight into spiritual matters. With the rise of various religious teachings and institutions, the formulation of 'divines' emerged to categorize religious scholars or clergy, emphasizing their expertise in spiritual realms.
Word Frequency Rank
With rank #17,878, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.
- ...
- 17875 indifferently
- 17876 fetters
- 17877 whimsical
- 17878 divines
- 17879 lilac
- 17880 secondarily
- 17881 remotest
- ...