precognition

The story

1. Latin · borrowed frompraecognitio
2. Middle French · borrowed fromprecognition
3. English todayprecognition

Borrowed from Middle French precognition or its source, Latin praecognitio, from praecognōscō (“to know beforehand”). Doublet of Germanic-based foreknowledge and Greek-based prognosis. Equivalent to pre- + cognition.

First known use, by meaning

• from 15th c. Knowledge of the future; understanding of something in advance, especially as a form of supernatural or extrasensory perception.
• from 17th c. The practice of taking a factual statement from a witness before a trial.