Foretold: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word 'foretold' comes from Old English 'forht,' meaning 'before' and 'told,' which is the past tense of 'tell'.
• It has been used in the English language since the 13th century, emphasizing the idea of predicting or proclaiming the future.
• Related words include 'foretell' (to predict) and 'forethought' (planning ahead), both highlighting the concept of looking ahead.

Literature

• Many famous works, like Shakespeare's 'Macbeth', explore themes of prophecy and fate, demonstrating how foretold events impact the characters' actions.
• In biblical texts, prophets were often described as those who foretold events, linking the word to divine knowledge and spirituality.
• The concept frequently appears in fantasy literature, with characters such as oracles and seers who reveal future happenings in stories.

Pop Culture

• Movies like 'The Matrix' and 'Minority Report' explore the theme of prophecy and its implications on free will and destiny.
• The term is often used in music, conveying themes of premonition and fate in songs across various genres.
• In the world of comic books, characters like Raven from 'Teen Titans' possess the ability to foresee future events, making 'foretelling' a popular superpower.

Science

• In fields like meteorology, scientists use data to forecast weather, drawing a parallel to the idea of 'foretelling' the future.
• The scientific method encourages making predictions based on observations, emphasizing a rational approach to the concept of forecasting.
• Some psychological theories suggest humans have a natural tendency to anticipate future events, influenced by past experiences.

Philosophy

• The study of determinism vs free will often grapples with ideas of what is 'foretold' versus choices we make in life.
• Philosophers like Aristotle examined the notion of prophecy and whether knowing the future changes our actions in the present.
• The concept raises questions about the nature of time and whether the future is fixed or subject to change.

With rank #16,147, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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• 16144 shire
• 16145 unjustified
• 16146 supplanted
• 16147 foretold
• 16148 decompose
• 16149 organist
• 16150 rooting
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