[f. L. fātidic-us (see prec.) + -AL.] a. = prec. b. Of persons, trees, etc.: Gifted with the power of prophecy.
a. 1607. Topsell, Serpents (1653), 685. This Beast [a Crocodile] is not indued onely with a spirit of reason, but also with a fatidical or prophetical geographical delineation.
a. 1652. J. Smith, Sel. Disc., vi. (1673), 187. But it is then for the Wise and Sober to understand what is spoken or represented in this Fatidical passion.
1697. J. Potter, Antiq. Greece, II. xvi. (1715), 335. Sometimes instead of Tablets, they had Pots, or Urns, into which the Lots or fatidical Verses were thrown, and thence drawn by the Boys.
1721–1800. in Bailey.
1829. Carlyle, Misc. (1857), II. 98. The fatidical fury spreads wider and wider.
1855. Smedley, Occult Sciences, 331. He was provided with a tablet, on which certain fatidical verses were written; when consulted, he cast dice on the tablet, and the verses on which they fell were supposed to contain the proper direction.
b. 1641. Brightman, Predict., 2. Our ancient Prophets, Bards, and fatidicall Vaccinators.
c. 1645. Howell, Lett. (1688), IV. 486. The Ancients write of some Trees, that they are Fatidical.
1652. Gaule, Πῦς-μαντία, the Mag-astro-mancer, 255. Fatidical Mars.
1864. W. Bell, in N. & Q., V. 442. One of those fatidical women, who … ruled the destinies of the nation.
Hence Fatidically adv.
a. 1693. Urquhart, Rabelais, III. xxv. 210. As fatidically, as under the Emperor Valence.
