prescience

[ presh-uhns, -ee-uhns, pree-shuhns, -shee-uhns ]

noun

1. knowledge of things before they exist or happen; foreknowledge; foresight.

prescience

/ ˈprɛsɪəns /

noun

1. knowledge of events before they take place; foreknowledge

Derived Forms

• ˈprescient, adjective
• ˈpresciently, adverb

Other Words From

• prescient adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prescience¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Late Latin praescientia “foreknowledge”; equivalent to pre- + science

Word History and Origins

Origin of prescience¹

C14: from Latin praescīre to foreknow, from prae before + scīre to know

Example Sentences

Setting aside any bruised pride, he said there are plenty of reasons to visit the region, beyond its former political prescience.

From Los Angeles Times

Maybe Ben Franklin’s wry quip about a “Republic, if you can keep it,’ was more prescience than cynicism.

From Salon

In 1920s Los Angeles, the Chinese cafe Kin-Chu would fulfill orders via phone until 1 a.m., a stroke of prescience that forecasted the eventual and immense popularity of late-night delivery.

From Salon

I’ve already written about the fourth season’s uncanny prescience and brazen anti-Trumpism for which the series’ creator Eric Kripke does not apologize.

From Salon

Fifteen years later, today’s report proves this point’s prescience.

From BBC

Related Words

• foreknowledge
• presage