precognition

[ pree-kog-nish-uhn ]

noun

1. knowledge of a future event or situation, especially through extrasensory means.
2. Scots Law.
   1. the examination of witnesses and other parties before a trial in order to supply a legal ground for prosecution.
   2. the evidence established in such an examination.

precognition

/ ˌpriːkɒɡˈnɪʃən; priːˈkɒɡnɪtɪv /

noun

1. psychol the alleged ability to foresee future events See also clairvoyance clairaudience

Derived Forms

• precognitive, adjective

Other Words From

• pre·cog·ni·tive [pree-, kog, -ni-tiv], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of precognition¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Late Latin praecognitiōn-, s. of praecognitiō; pre-, cognition

Word History and Origins

Origin of precognition¹

C17: from Late Latin praecognitiō foreknowledge, from praecognoscere to foresee, from prae before + cognoscere to know, ascertain

Example Sentences

He had this icy calmness to him, able to read and anticipate his opponents’ moves in ways that can best be described as precognition.

From The Verge

Wallace had “a level of precognition about certain things,” he adds.

From New York Times

The publication of “Phase Six” is one of those moments of synchronicity that make you wonder if an author is capable of precognition.

From New York Times

It also has something of a precognition capability that can engage all-wheel-drive before wheel slippage occurs by monitoring the temperature, windshield wiper use and steepness of the road, among other factors.

From Fox News

If it’s accepted we subconsciously gather hidden information from our surroundings, is precognition a possibility?

From The Guardian