Prophecy Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ฎ
prophecy
[หprษfษsi ]
Definitions
spiritual
A prediction or foretelling of what is to come, often associated with divine inspiration or insight.
Synonyms
divination, forecast, prediction, prognostication.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| prophecy |
Used in a mystical or religious context, often referring to events that are believed to be revealed by divine inspiration or supernatural insight.
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| prediction |
A general term for making statements about the future based on observation, analysis, or intuition. Can be used in both casual and formal contexts.
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| forecast |
Commonly used in scientific or practical contexts, especially related to weather or economics, where predictions are based on data and analysis.
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| prognostication |
An elaborate term often used in medical or academic contexts where future events or conditions are predicted with a high level of uncertainty.
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| divination |
Refers to the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means. Often associated with rituals, omens, or spiritual practices.
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Examples of usage
- The prophecy foretold the coming of a great leader.
- Many people believed in the prophecy of the ancient oracle.
- She claimed to have received a prophecy in her dreams.
literary
A statement or declaration of a future event or outcome, often in a symbolic or metaphorical sense.
Synonyms
augury, foretelling, premonition, presage.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| prophecy |
Commonly used in a religious or spiritual context, where someone foresees events typically as a divine revelation.
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| foretelling |
A general term used to describe the act of predicting or forecasting future events, not necessarily with a mystical or spiritual context.
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| premonition |
Refers to an uneasy feeling or intuition that something, often something bad, is going to happen.
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| augury |
Typically refers to an ancient practice of interpreting omens, often related to birds, to predict future events.
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| presage |
Used to indicate something that foreshadows or warns of a future event, often in a more literary or formal context.
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Examples of usage
- The prophecy in the novel foreshadowed the protagonist's ultimate destiny.
- In Shakespeare's plays, prophecies often play a significant role in the plot.
- The prophecy of the wise old man guided the young hero on his journey.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Literature
- Prophecies play a key role in many classic stories, including Shakespeare's 'Macbeth,' where a witch predicts the main characterโs fate.
- In 'Harry Potter', prophecies guide the actions of characters and shape the storyโs events.
Historical Context
- Throughout history, various cultures, such as the ancient Greeks and Egyptians, relied on prophecies for guidance in decision-making.
- The Book of Daniel in the Bible includes prophetic visions about future kingdoms and events, shaping religious thought for centuries.
Psychology
- Believing in prophecies can create a psychological phenomenon known as 'self-fulfilling prophecies,' where expectations influence outcomes.
- Cognitive biases can lead people to interpret events as fulfilling a prophecy, even if they were coincidental.
Pop Culture
- Modern films and TV shows frequently use prophecies to add twists to plots, such as in 'The Matrix', where there's a prophesied 'One'.
- Many video games incorporate prophecy as a major theme, leading characters on quests to fulfill foretold destinies.
Origin of 'prophecy'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Greek 'propheteia', meaning 'to speak on behalf of' or 'to declare the future'.
- In ancient times, prophetic messages were often delivered by priests or oracles, considered to be the voice of the divine.
The word 'prophecy' originated from the Middle English prophecie, from Old French and Latin prophฤtia, from Greek prophฤteia, from prophฤtฤs meaning 'prophet'. The concept of prophecy has roots in various religious and spiritual traditions, where prophets were believed to communicate divine messages or insights about the future. Throughout history, prophecies have been a source of fascination and intrigue, inspiring literature, art, and popular culture.