Main Entry:

fore·see

Pronunciation:

\fȯr-ˈsē\

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

fore·saw \-ˈsȯ\ ; fore·seen \-ˈsēn\ ; fore·see·ing

Date:

before 12th century

: to see (as a development) beforehand

— fore·seer \fȯr-ˈsē-ər, -ˈsir\ noun

synonyms foresee, foreknow, divine, anticipate mean to know beforehand. foresee implies nothing about how the knowledge is derived and may apply to ordinary reasoning and experience <economists should have foreseen the recession>. foreknow usually implies supernatural assistance, as through revelation <if only we could foreknow our own destinies>. divine adds to foresee the suggestion of exceptional wisdom or discernment <was able to divine Europe's rapid recovery from the war>. anticipate implies taking action about or responding emotionally to something before it happens <the waiter anticipated our every need>.