prescience — English Dictionary

Noun

1. Knowledge of events before they take place. Such knowledge that is supernatural or paranormal in nature, including the prediction of things that nobody could have known by the ordinary senses.

   Usage

   • especially
   • Uncountable
   • usually

   Synonyms

   precognitionforesightforeknowledgeclairvoyancepremonitiondivinationprophecypsychicness

   Examples

   God's certain prescience of the volitions of moral agents

   O thou, who thus the eye hast veil'd, The book of fate so slowly given, I thank thee, that thou hast conceal'd From man the prescience of heaven.

2. Knowledge of events before they take place. Such knowledge that comes from wise and thorough forethought (for example, careful planning).

   Usage

   • sometimes
   • Uncountable
   • usually

   Synonyms

   foresightforethought

   Examples

   Near-synonym: forethought

   More examples (1)

   With prescience, the Barlows designed them to withstand a third more weight than they would be expected to bear in normal conditions - future proofing the bridge for the weight of trains we see using it today.

Noun

1. the power to foresee the future

   Synonyms

   prevision

   Broader terms

   capacitymental ability