Divined

To 'divine' means to discover or perceive something, often something secret or hidden, typically by supernatural means or by intuition. It can involve using a method like scrying, tarot, or astrology to predict the future or gain insight. It can also simply imply a keen ability to discern or understand something through observation and insightful analysis without explicit proof. The act suggests a sense of revelation, an uncovering of truth, either by a supernatural source or by keen perception. The object or outcome of 'divining' is frequently something difficult to discover or previously unknown. It could be a person's future, the location of a missing item, the root cause of a problem, or something with deep significance, which can then be expressed in many ways.

Divined meaning with examples

• The ancient oracle divined the future of the kingdom by studying the entrails of sacrificed animals. Despite being controversial, her pronouncements were taken seriously and she held considerable political influence. Her predictions, divined from cryptic signs, frequently guided the king's decisions, for better or worse. The queen and her court consulted her often and considered it vital to the welfare of the whole society.
• Using a combination of historical records and painstaking analysis, the detective slowly divined the identity of the serial killer. Through reviewing numerous records, the detective divined the victim's connection to the perpetrator, ultimately leading to the killer's arrest. It took many months of investigation, sifting through every piece of evidence but finally, the truth was divined. The case was considered closed when they discovered a journal, where the killer explicitly confessed to the crime.
• The experienced therapist, through patient listening and insightful questioning, divined the underlying anxieties that plagued the patient. After sessions of discussions and asking questions, the therapist finally divined the root cause of the patient’s emotional distress, revealing the need for specific therapeutic interventions. Many had tried and failed, but this therapist was finally able to extract and understand their pain and suffering. With their guidance, the patient was able to come up with coping mechanisms and find some peace.
• The experienced prospector believed that he could divine the presence of underground water sources using a divining rod. Walking the arid land with the rod, he would eventually be able to divine a location and dig a well. While controversial, he used this ability to help countless farmers throughout the drought. Locals claimed to have divined the presence of gold through their 'magic wand', while others thought it was just chance.