Foreknew: meaning, definitions and examples
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foreknew
[ fɔːrˈnuː ]
past tense
Foreknew is the past tense of 'foreknow,' which means to know something in advance or to have prior knowledge of an event or situation before it actually occurs. This term is often used in theological contexts to refer to the omniscience of a deity or in discussions about predestination. In a more general sense, it can apply to knowing beforehand about certain outcomes based on existing evidence or intuition.
Synonyms
anticipated, foretold, predicted
Examples of usage
- He foreknew the outcome of the election.
- The predictions foreknew the change in climate.
- She foreknew the consequences of her actions.
Translations
Translations of the word "foreknew" in other languages:
🇵🇹 previu
🇮🇳 पूर्ववाणी की
🇩🇪 vorher wissen
🇮🇩 tahu sebelumnya
🇺🇦 знав заздалегідь
🇵🇱 wiedział wcześniej
🇯🇵 予知した
🇫🇷 savait à l'avance
🇪🇸 supo de antemano
🇹🇷 önceden bilmek
🇰🇷 미리 알았다
🇸🇦 عرف مسبقًا
🇨🇿 věděl předem
🇸🇰 vedel vopred
🇨🇳 预知
🇸🇮 vedel vnaprej
🇮🇸 vissi fyrirfram
🇰🇿 алдын ала білді
🇬🇪 წინასწარ იცოდა
🇦🇿 öncədən bildi
🇲🇽 supo de antemano
Etymology
The word 'foreknew' originates from the combination of the prefix 'fore-' and the verb 'know.' The prefix 'fore-' is derived from Old English 'foran,' meaning 'before,' and is used in various words to indicate an earlier time. The verb 'know' comes from Old English 'cnawan,' which means 'to perceive, identify, or distinguish.' Together, these components emphasize the concept of possessing knowledge about something before it happens. The term 'foreknow' has been used in English literature since the Middle Ages, particularly in religious texts where divine foreknowledge is a central theme. As Christianity developed, the implications of foreknowledge became significant in theological discussions about free will and predestination. The relevance of the term has continued through the ages, often appearing in both secular and spiritual contexts.