foreknowledge

American  

[fawr-nol-ij, fohr-, fawr-nol-ij, fohr-] / ˈfɔrˌnɒl ɪdʒ, ˈfoʊr-, fɔrˈnɒl ɪdʒ, foʊr- /

noun

1. knowledge of something before it exists or happens; prescience.

   Did you have any foreknowledge of the scheme?

   Synonyms:

   foresightedness, premonition, presentiment

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Etymology

Origin of foreknowledge

First recorded in 1525–35; fore- + knowledge

Example Sentences

Foreknowledge of Japanese intentions helped the U.S. in the battles of Coral Sea and Midway, undoubtedly gaining crucial time for the U.S. to prepare its final blows.

From Time Magazine Archive

Foreknowledge thus acquired, however, was confined to particular persons, and such favoured dreamers enjoyed a reputation little inferior to that of the inspired priests.

From The Belief in Immortality and the Worship of the Dead Vol. II by Frazer, James George, Sir

Foreknowledge and Fate are not conterminous and coextensive.

From Roman Society from Nero to Marcus Aurelius by Dill, Samuel

Foreknowledge is an effect, not of something that is going to occur, which would be absurd, but the effect of its being going to occur.

From The Fiend's Delight by Bierce, Ambrose

Foreknowledge and intention, doubtless; in that sense the hairs were numbered.

From A Summer in Leslie Goldthwaite's Life. by Whitney, A. D. T. (Adeline Dutton Train)