etermination or decision, which, in the
divine action, reaches on from eternity. _Fate_ is heathen, an
irresistible, irrational power determining all events with no manifest
connection with reason or righteousness; _necessity_ is philosophical, a
blind something in the nature of things binding the slightest action or
motion in the chain of inevitable, eternal sequence; _foreordination_
and _predestination_ are Christian, denoting the rational and righteous
order or decree of the supreme and all-wise God. _Foreknowledge_ is
simply God's antecedent knowledge of all events, which some hold to be
entirely separable from his _foreordination_, while others hold
_foreordination_ to be inseparably involved in _foreknowledge_.

Antonyms:

accident, choice, freedom, independence,
chance, free agency, free will, uncertainty.

Prepositions:

Predestination _of_ believers _to_ eternal life.

* * * * *

PREJUDICE.

Synonyms:

bias, preconception, presumption,
partiality, prepossession, unfairness.

A _presumption_ (literally, a taking beforehand) is a partial decision
formed in advance of argument or evidence, usually grounded on some
general principle, and always held subject to revision upon fuller
information. A _prejudice_ or _prepossession_ is grounded often on
feeling, fancy, associations, etc. A _prejudice_ against foreigners is
very common in retired communities. There is always a _presumption_ in
favor of what exists, so that the burden of proof is upon one who
advocates a change. A _prepossession_ is always favorable, a _prejudice_
always unfavorable, unless the contrary is expressly stated. Compare
INJURY.

Antonyms:

certainty, conviction, evidence, reason,
conclusion, demonstration, proof, reasoning.

Prepositions:

_Against_; rarely, _in favor of_, _in one's favor_.

* * * * *

PRETENSE.

Synonyms:

affectation, disguise, pretext, simulation,
air, dissimulation, ruse, subterfuge,
assumption, excuse, seeming, trick,
cloak, mask, semblance, wile.
color, pretension, show,

A _pretense_, in the unfavorable, which is also the usual sense, is
something advanced or displayed for the purpose of concealing the
reality. A person makes a _pretense_ of something for the credit or
advantage to be gained by it; he make