predetermine

/ˌˈpridəˌtɛrmən/

/pridɪˈtʌmɪn/

Other forms: predetermined; predetermining; predetermines

The verb predetermine means "determine in advance," like when you predetermine how much money you will spend on your friend's birthday present to make shopping easier.

Predetermine comes from the Latin word praedeterminare, from prae, meaning “beforehand,” and determinare, meaning “limit, settle.” When you predetermine things, such as who will bring the food and music to a party, things run more smoothly than if you left it to chance. Another meaning of the word isn't so positive — if the organizers of a contest predetermine that their friend will win, this isn't fair to the other participants.

Definitions of predetermine

1. verb

   determine beforehand
   types:

   foreordain, predestine, preordain

   foreordain or determine beforehand

   foreordain, predestinate, predestine

   foreordain by divine will or decree

   jinx

   foredoom to failure

   type of:

   determine, influence, mold, regulate, shape

   shape or influence; give direction to
2. verb

   cause to be biased
   synonyms: bias

   types:

   angle, skew, slant, weight

   present with a bias

   type of:

   prejudice, prepossess

   influence (somebody's) opinion in advance