precognition

American  

[pree-kog-nish-uhn] / ˌpri kɒgˈnɪʃ ən /

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 British  

/ ˌpriːkɒɡˈnɪʃən, priːˈkɒɡnɪtɪv /

noun

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

---

Other Word Forms

• precognitive adjective

Etymology

Origin of precognition

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

Compare meaning

How does precognition compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• precognition vs. clairvoyance

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