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prophecy
[ prof-uh-see ]
/ ËprÉf É si /
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noun, plural proph·e·cies.
the foretelling or prediction of what is to come.
something that is declared by a prophet, especially a divinely inspired prediction, instruction, or exhortation.
a divinely inspired utterance or revelation: oracular prophecies.
the action, function, or faculty of a prophet.
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Origin of prophecy
words often confused with prophecy
The French-derived noun prophecy and the related verb prophesy have a unique history. Before English spelling became relatively stabilized, they were both spelled many different waysâsome with a c, some with an s, and even, at least in the case of the noun, some with a t (as in the corresponding modern French form prophĂ©tie ). But in the 18th century, the great diversity of spellings for these words settled down, with the c form becoming standard for the noun and the s form for the verb. At some point the pronunciation of the verb was also distinguished from that of the noun, so that instead of rhyming with see, like the noun, the verb rhymed with sigh âperhaps by analogy with the many verbs ending in -fy ( testify, stupefy, etc.).
Considering the close relationship between the words, it is not surprising that they are easily confused; in particular, it is not unusual to see the noun written with an s, just as was often done before the 18th century. We may even prophesy that, over time, the form will once again become a completely acceptable spelling for the noun. But until then, careful writers and speakers maintain the conventional and long-established distinction between the two words in both spelling and pronunciation. Similarly, the verb "prophesize" (or "prophecize")âresulting from confusion between prophesy and verbs ending in -ize like proselytize and prioritize âis regarded as nonstandard. When you make a prophecy (sounds like see ), you are prophesying (sounds like sighing ).
Considering the close relationship between the words, it is not surprising that they are easily confused; in particular, it is not unusual to see the noun written with an s, just as was often done before the 18th century. We may even prophesy that, over time, the form will once again become a completely acceptable spelling for the noun. But until then, careful writers and speakers maintain the conventional and long-established distinction between the two words in both spelling and pronunciation. Similarly, the verb "prophesize" (or "prophecize")âresulting from confusion between prophesy and verbs ending in -ize like proselytize and prioritize âis regarded as nonstandard. When you make a prophecy (sounds like see ), you are prophesying (sounds like sighing ).
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH prophecy
prophecy , prophesy (see confusables note at the current entry)Words nearby prophecy
property tax, proper value, propfan, prophage, prophase, prophecy, prophesy, prophet, prophetess, prophetic, Prophets
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use prophecy in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for prophecy
prophecy
/ (ËprÉfÉȘsÉȘ) /
noun plural -cies
- a message of divine truth revealing God's will
- the act of uttering such a message
a prediction or guess
the function, activity, or charismatic endowment of a prophet or prophets
Word Origin for prophecy
C13: ultimately from Greek prophÄtÄs prophet
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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