prescient
UK: ˈpres.i.ənt | US: ˈpreʃ.ənt
adj. having knowledge of events before they occur; foreseeing the future
prescient = pre<before> + sci<know> + ent<adjective suffix>
- pre: From Latin prae, meaning "before."
- sci: From Latin scire, meaning "to know."
- ent: A suffix forming adjectives, indicating a state or quality.
Etymology Origin:
The word prescient traces back to Latin praescire ("to know beforehand"), combining prae- (before) and scire (to know). It entered English via French préscient in the 17th century, retaining its core meaning of foresight. The morphemes logically align: pre- signals anticipation, sci conveys knowledge, and -ent marks it as an adjective. This structure vividly reflects the concept of "knowing ahead of time."
Her prescient warning about the economic crash was ignored.
The novel’s prescient depiction of AI feels eerily accurate today.
His prescient investment in renewable energy paid off decades later.
Few leaders were prescient enough to prepare for the pandemic.
The scientist’s prescient theories were later proven true.