v.
Pronunciation: fo ̇ r- ' s ē
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: -saw \ - ' so ̇ \ ; -seen \ - ' s ē n \ ; -see · ing
Date: before 12th century
: to see (as a development) beforehand
– fore · seer \ fo ̇ r- ' s ē - ə r, - ' sir \ 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>.