prophecy
nounUK /ˈpɹɒfɪsi/ · US /ˈpɹɑfɪsi/
Etymology From Middle English prophecie, from Old French prophetie, from Latin prophētīa, from Ancient Greek προφητεία (prophēteía, “prophecy”), from προφήτης (prophḗtēs, “speaker of a god”), from πρό (pró, “before”) + φημί (phēmí, “to tell”). Displaced native Old English wītgung. Doublet of prophesy.
1
A prediction, especially one made by a prophet or under divine inspiration.
- French writer Nostradamus made a prophecy in his book.
- But Nature, prevoyant, tingled into his heart an inarticulate thrill of prophecy.1862, Margaret Oliphant, The Life of Edward Irving:
2 more examples
- It is recorded that this remarkable prophecy, now largely fulfilled, was received with much merriment—an undeserved fate.1955 November, G. Machell, “Railway Development at Aylesbury - 1”, in Railway Magazine, pages 741-742:
- Flatterers were indeed beginning to wonder whether Edward I was not a new Arthur in the mould of Merlinic prophecies.2000, R. R. Davies, The First English Empire: Power and Identities in the British Isles, 1093–1343, →ISBN, page 32:
2
The public interpretation of Scripture.
- Derived terms
- AIMA prophecy, counterprophecy, propheciographer, prophecize, self-defeating prophecy, self-fulfilling prophecy
- Related terms
- prophesy, prophet, prophetation, prophetic, prophetically, propheticism, propheticly, prophetocracy, prophetry