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destin

fate

noun des-TAN Less Common

Also means

destiny

Usage Note

Destin and its near-synonym destinée both mean fate or destiny, but destin tends to feel more fixed and external while destinée can carry a sense of vocation or calling. The verb destiner means to destine or intend something for a purpose. The phrase le destin en a décidé autrement ('fate decided otherwise') is a common literary expression.

Examples

"Il croit au destin et au hasard."

Natural Translation

He believes in fate and chance.

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