foreknow

[ fawr-noh, fohr- ]

verb (used with object)

, fore·knew, fore·known, fore·knowing.

1. to know beforehand.

   Synonyms: anticipate, discern, divine, foresee

foreknow

/ fɔːˈnəʊ /

verb

1. tr to know in advance

Derived Forms

• foreˈknowingly, adverb
• foreˈknowable, adjective
• foreˈknowledge, noun

Other Words From

• fore·knowa·ble adjective
• fore·knower noun
• fore·knowing·ly adverb
• unfore·knowa·ble adjective
• unfore·known adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of foreknow¹

First recorded in 1400–50, foreknow is from the late Middle English word foreknowen. See fore-, know ¹

Example Sentences

But if he shall not will to sin, even this did God foreknow.

From Project Gutenberg

Precisely how it will be distributed it is impossible to foreknow.

From Project Gutenberg

For as it belongs to his wisdom to foreknow all future events, so it belongs to his power to rule and govern them by his hand.

From Project Gutenberg

We foreknow how others will act, and the foreknowledge is the beginning of judgment passed on action.

From Project Gutenberg

It is another man's error or fault that you foreknow, and not your own; and therefore foreknowledge maketh it not your own.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• anticipate
• augur
• foreshadow
• portend
• prefigure
• presage
• prophesy
• signify