precognition

UK: /ˌpriːkɒɡˈnɪʃən/ US: /ˌprikɑgˈnɪʃən/ ,(prē′kog nish′ən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

pre•cog•ni•tion /ˌprikɑgˈnɪʃən/   n. [uncountable]

1. knowledge of a future event or situation, esp. through extrasensory means:
   a prediction made through precognition.

See -gnos-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

pre•cog•ni•tion  (prē′kog nish′ən), n. 

1. knowledge of a future event or situation, esp. through extrasensory means.
2. Scottish Terms
   • the examination of witnesses and other parties before a trial in order to supply a legal ground for prosecution.
   • the evidence established in such an examination.

• Late Latin praecognitiōn-, stem of praecognitiō; see pre-, cognition
• 1400–50; late Middle English

pre•cog•ni•tive  (prē kog′ni tiv), adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

precognition / ˌpriːkɒɡˈnɪʃən/ noun

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

Etymology: 17th Century: from Late Latin praecognitiō foreknowledge, from praecognoscere to foresee, from prae before + cognoscere to know, ascertain

precognitive / priːˈkɒɡnɪtɪv/ adjective