Prescience
Noun
Definition: The fact of knowing or anticipating something in advance; foreknowledge.
Synonyms: Foresight, Clairvoyance, Prophecy
Antonyms: Ignorance, Unawareness, Shortsightedness
- Her prescience allowed her to predict the outcome of the negotiations.
- The novel displayed a remarkable level of prescience in depicting future technological advancements.
- "Prescience" sounds like "pre-science," implying knowledge or awareness before it happens.
- Think of "pre" as pre-knowing or knowing beforehand.
Etymology:
The word "prescience" comes from the Latin word "praescientia," which combines "prae" (before) and "scientia" (knowledge).
Historical Usage:The concept of prescience has been present in various cultures throughout history, often associated with divination or prophecy.
Related Idioms:
"Prescient vision"
Explanation:Refers to a highly perceptive or insightful understanding of future events.
Misconceptions:
Confusing "prescience" with "omniscience" (knowing everything).
Explanation:While "prescience" implies having knowledge or foresight about a specific event or situation, "omniscience" refers to the absolute knowledge of everything. "Prescience" is limited to anticipation or foreknowledge within a specific scope.