Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • transitive verb To have foreknowledge of, especially by supernatural means or through revelation.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • To have previous knowledge of; know beforehand; think of or contemplate beforehand.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • transitive verb To have previous knowledge of; to know beforehand.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb To have knowledge of beforehand, to precognise.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • verb realize beforehand

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From fore- +‎ know.

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Examples

  • Whom he did foreknow, that is, whom he designed for his friends and favourites.

    Commentary on the Whole Bible Volume VI (Acts to Revelation) 1721

  • And let it be noticed further that if Paul had here used the term "foreknow" in the sense that election was based on mere foreknowledge, it would have contradicted his statement elsewhere that it is according to the good pleasure of God.

    The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination 1959

  • In what sense are we to take the word "foreknow" here?

    Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible 1871

  • If this exegesis, which takes the verb "foreknow" in the diluted sense of prescience, is not acceptable, what then, we may ask, is the meaning of foreknowledge?

    Possessing the Treasure 2008

  • If, for the sake of argument, we were to adopt this diluted interpretation of the verb "foreknow" in Rom. 8: 29, we are not to readily conclude that what we call the particularistic exegesis would have to be abandoned and the absolute sovereignty of God in the matter of election to life be eliminated.

    Possessing the Treasure 2008

  • If we say that the meaning of the verb "foreknow" in Rom. 8: 29 is "whom he foresaw as believing and persevering," we are not to think that we have ended the matter, for we are compelled to ask the further question: Whence this faith which God foresees?

    Possessing the Treasure 2008

  • Erik fears metamorphosis because he cannot foreknow what he'll become, yet he fears what he has become: adrift and a disappointment to the memory of his students and the effort of his friends.

    Butterfly, Butterflown Mark Meier 2011

  • "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son" Rom 8:29.

    "First the fruit, now the vegetable..." Fathorse 2008

  • Consequently, if anything is about to be, and yet its occurrence is not certain and necessary, how can anyone foreknow that it will occur?

    Consolation of Philosophy 2007

  • For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

    Probably Just One Of Those Funny Coincidences 2006

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