n. (fem. prophetess) 1 a teacher or interpreter of the supposed will of God, esp. any of the Old Testament or Hebrew prophets. 2 a a person who foretells events. b a person who advocates and speaks innovatively for a cause (a prophet of the new order). 3 (the Prophet) a Muhammad. b Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormons, or one of his successors. c (in pl.) the prophetic writings of the Old Testament. 4 colloq. a tipster. prophethood n. prophetism n. prophetship n.
[ ME f. OF prophete f. L propheta, prophetes f. Gk prophetes spokesman (as PRO-(2), phetes speaker f. phemi speak) ]