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

Other Word Forms

• prescient adjective
• presciently adverb

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

Her presence on the pitch and her prescience off it - a willingness to embrace TikTok is widely credited with her huge popularity - has helped make Earps an unstoppable force.

From BBC

Maybe it’s inevitable that "Black Mirror," once upon a time a show of unnerving political and social prescience, would become not simply passé but past expiration.

From Salon

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

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

From BBC

Related Words

• foreknowledge 
• presage