Destined to happen; believed to be determined by fate or predetermined circumstances beyond one's control.
From Latin 'fatum' meaning what is spoken or decreed, from 'fari' (to speak). The root idea is that fate is something spoken into being by a higher power.
The idea that we're fated to meet certain people or that things are destined comes from ancient Greek drama—writers literally called it 'fate' when characters couldn't escape the playwright's plot, turning a theatrical device into a philosophy.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.