prescience
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of prescience
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Late Latin praescientia “foreknowledge”; equivalent to pre- + science
Explanation
Do you already know what happens tomorrow? Next week? Next year? If you can see into the future, then you have prescience. The word prescience might look like pre + science, but it really comes from the Latin word praescientia, which means "fore-knowledge" — or knowledge you know before anyone else. Don't assume it's a crystal ball kind of power that lets someone with prescience see the future. It's more like a state of mind or level of expertise that allows for excellent foresight and planning.
Vocabulary lists containing prescience
Latin Love, Vol I: sci
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100 SAT words Beginning with "P"
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The Inheritance Games
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Prescience has always been part of this action-thriller’s hold on the imagination.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 20, 2025
The King's Speech was backed by UK financier Prescience and owes all its international success to the New York-based foreign sales agency FilmNation.
From The Guardian • Feb. 21, 2011
Prescience makes the events foreknown, certain; but if certain, they must be necessary.
From A Review of Edwards's by Tappan, Henry Philip
Prescience, without a reason therefor which she would admit, prevented forgetfulness.
From Where the Trail Divides by Lillibridge, Will
"Prescience, predetermination and infinite benevolence are no argument against prayer to the Deity."
From Answer to Dr. Priestley's Letters to a Philosophical Unbeliever by Turner, Matthew
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
