divinare

Divinare is a Latin verb meaning to foretell, prophesy, or divine. In classical and late antique Latin, the term denotes obtaining knowledge of the future or hidden things through inspiration, interpretation of omens, dreams, or signs from the gods. The act is presented as a form of revelation rather than mere guessing, and it sits within the broader vocabulary of prophecy and divination.

Etymology and related terms. Divinare derives from the same root as divinus, meaning divine, and is closely connected to the noun divinatio, or divination. The verb and its cognate nouns appear in theological, literary, and scholarly Latin, forming part of a semantic field that centers on communication with the divine or the interpretation of portents.

Usage in literature and history. In classical authors, divinare occurs in contexts involving prophecy, omen interpretation, dreams, and signs that are read as revelations about forthcoming events. It is used by poets, historians, and philosophers to describe the practice of discovering future or hidden truths through divine or supernatural means. In medieval and early modern Latin, the sense persists, though Christian writers sometimes critique or regulate various forms of divination as pagan or superstition, while preserving the language of revelation and prophecy in more orthodox contexts. The concept underpins terms such as divinatio (divination) and is parallel to other divinatory practices like augury or oracular consultation.

Modern usage and cognates. Today, divinare is mainly of interest in philology, classical studies, and discussions of ancient religion. In English, the verb is rarely used outside scholarly writing, where it is contrasted with more common expressions for prophecy or divination. Cognate forms remain in several Romance languages, such as Italian divinare and Spanish divinar, with related meanings of divine or foretell.