previsionaladj.
/prᵻˈvɪʒn̩(ə)l/, /prᵻˈvɪʒən(ə)l/, U.S. /priˈvɪʒ(ə)nəl/, /prəˈvɪʒ(ə)nəl/ Of or relating to prevision; based on foresight; foretold; foreseen.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > foresight, foreknowledge > [adjective]
previsional1643
prescient1653
previsive1736
previsionary1818
precognitive1869
precog1954
1643 P. Heylyn Let. to Gentleman of Leicestershire 21 They took it for a great affront, as if His Maiestie had..reckoned them uncapable of making a previsionall law, for the present turn.
1836 G. S. Faber Primitive Doctr. Election ii. ix. 387 Election, whether absolute and unconditional, or previsional and conditional, is equally, both on the Calvinistic Scheme and on the Arminian Scheme, An Election of certain individuals, directly and immediately, to eternal life.
1887 Spectator 15 Oct. 1394 In a spirit of previsional self-defence.
1950 Econ. Jrnl. 60 866 The distinction between theoretical, historical and ‘previsional’ models is a neat one.
1984 M. Dittrick & D. Dittrick No Uncertain Terms 97 Some scientific investigators consider precognition a branch of clairvoyance and call it previsional clairvoyance.
2001 Independent (Nexis) 19 Dec. 12 We fear for these jolly, carefree siblings, unless of course the previsional fantasy of the central act is an illusion.
Derivatives
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > foresight, foreknowledge > [adverb]
foreknowingly1647
prospectively1735
presciently1823
previsionally1836
1836 G. S. Faber Primitive Doctr. Election ii. ix. 395 Certain individuals..predestinated, either absolutely or previsionally, to eternal life.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1643