- divine (adj.)
- c.1300, from O.Fr. devin, from L. divinus "of a god," from divus "a god," related to deus "god, deity" (see Zeus). Weakened sense of "excellent" had evolved by late 15c.
- divine (v.)
- "to conjure, to guess," originally "to make out by supernatural insight," early 14c., from L. divinus (see divine (adj.)), which also meant "soothsayer." Related: Divined; divining. Divining rod (or wand) attested from 1650s.