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

Other Word Forms

• precognitive 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

The Clairvoyants perform mentalism, the branch of magic that encapsulates all things mind-reading, precognition and extrasensory perception.

From Los Angeles Times

Today we may view that observation as something akin to informed precognition.

From Salon

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