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to predetermine

to predetermine

10 5.8
Decide or make a result likely before it happens
  • verb
  • /ˌpriːdɪˈtɜːrmɪn/
: predeterminar
  • The grade 8 teacher focused on helping all students use predetermined procedures.
  • predetermined outcomes
  • predetermined standards
  • predetermined criteria

I want to consume them, and bitter and sour are innately predetermined to be aversive.

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Examples

  • Even if I give you the code this thing only opens at predetermined times.

  • The number of free throws made was then used to handicap the participants using predetermined guidelines.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Students work on the cases in predetermined groups of five to six.

    Academic text (2015)
  • You have predetermined her fate.

  • None of these outcomes is predetermined; however, the United States could do much to mitigate them.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Second, a lesson plan is more of a linear process: a predetermined step 1 followed directly by step 2.

    Academic text (2011)
  • He says that everything is predetermined, but I like to think of it as fate.

  • Essentially, there would be no subsidy unless crude oil prices fell below some predetermined level, say $70.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Incentives to volunteer were added by awarding a predetermined amount of continuing education credits to the participants.

    Academic text (1992)
  • The teacher assigned the students to predetermine their project topics before the next class.

Synonyms

to preordain
vsto predetermine
9 8.8

To decide or arrange something before it happens, often by fate

is neutral about who decides, not necessarily supernatural or fated
to predefine
vsto predetermine
3 5.1

Decide and set something before it is needed

influences later outcome rather than only setting initial rules
to predestine
vsto predetermine
3 9.2

To decide in advance, often by fate or God's will

is similar but can be used without implying divine or fate causes
to premeditate
vsto predetermine
  • Formal
3 8.1

To think about and plan something before doing it, often a harmful act

is about causing outcomes in advance rather than inward planning
to prearrange
vsto predetermine
3 4.1

To plan something ahead of time

aims more at affecting how things turn out than just planning
to preprogram
vsto predetermine
1 7.2

To make people think or act a certain way beforehand

is a general advance influence, not limited to training or conditioning
to foreordain
vsto predetermine
  • Formal
1 9.9

Decide before it happens, often by a higher power

is a general predecision term and does not require supernatural agency
to prespecify
vsto predetermine
1 7.8

Decide or say something before an event starts

focuses on shaping the eventual outcome not only stating details
to predestinate
vsto predetermine
  • Formal
1 9.9

Decide in advance that something will happen, often by fate or God

is broader and may refer to human decisions as well as fate
to pre-commit
vsto predetermine
1 7.4

To agree in advance to give money, time, or help

is broader, applying to influencing results not only binding choices
to prewire
vsto predetermine
1 7.8

Get someone ready to respond in a certain way

covers advance influence overall, not only preparatory conditioning

How Predetermined

to predetermine
10 5.8
to decide
∞ 1.0
to influence
545 2.2

Surface Forms

predetermine infinitive
predetermining present participle
predetermines third person singular
predetermined past participle

Morphology

predetermine = determine (transparent) = pre + determine

The meaning is a straightforward application of the prefix 'pre-' to 'determine', giving 'determine in advance'.

Etymology

Predetermine breaks into pre- meaning 'before' and determine meaning 'decide', so to predetermine something is to decide or influence it 'before' it happens.