decretum horribile

Latin

Etymology

Literally “the fearful decree”, though the horribile is often interpreted as “worthy of horror”. Introduced as a fixed phrase by John Calvin.

Noun

dēcrētum horribile n sg (genitive dēcrētī horribilis); second declension

  1. (Ecclesiastical Latin) predestination (Calvinist doctrine)
    • 1620, Johannes Gisenius, Calvinismus, hoc est, errorum Zwinglio-Calvinianorum methodica enumeratio [] , front matter:
      Decreti horribilis mendacia tollite vana, / Non homines odit, quos creat ipse, Deus.
      You spread vain lies of the fearful decree, / God does not hate men, which he himself creates.
    • 1652, Marcus Friedrich Wendelin, Exercitationes theologicae vindicies, pro theologia Christiana, page 259:
      Anne vero religiosius divina permissio appellari valde horribilis à vobis potest, quàm à Calvino, decretum horribile: cavillationum vos pudeat.
      As for whether you may label divine permission more piously extremely fearful, the fearful decree as in Calvin: be ashamed of your sophistries.

Declension

Second-declension noun (neuter) with a third-declension adjective, singular only.

Case Singular
Nominative dēcrētum horribile
Genitive dēcrētī horribilis
Dative dēcrētō horribilī
Accusative dēcrētum horribile
Ablative dēcrētō horribilī
Vocative dēcrētum horribile
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