(theology) being determined in advance; especially the doctrine (usually associated with Calvin) that God has foreordained every event throughout eternity (including the final salvation of mankind)
[ Syn: predestination , foreordination , preordination ]
a mental determination or resolve in advance; an antecedent intention to do something; he entered the argument with a predetermination to prove me wrong'
the act of determining or ordaining in advance what is to take place