prenotion Now rare.
(priːˈnəʊʃən)
[ad. L. prænōtiōn-em a previous notion, preconception, innate idea (Cic.), transl. Gr. πρόληψις of the Epicureans: see pre- A. 2 and notion. So F. prénotion (16th c.).]
1. A notion or mental preception of something before it exists or happens. Also (without a or pl.), foreknowledge, prescience; in quot. 1652, prognostication.
| 1588 J. Harvey Disc. Probl. 77 Euen in such prenotions and premonitions..they may prouidently and reasonably foresee the consequence of Naturall or Morall effects. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. ii. xi. §2 That the mind when it is withdrawn and collected into itself..hath some extent and latitude of prenotion. a 1607 Brightman Predict. (1641) 2 Whosoever..may be amply satisfied, what prevalence his prenotions had. 1652 Gaule Magastrom. 341 Many soothsaying astrologers..had gathered themselves together, to consult about the prænotion of Valens his successor. 1709 Berkeley The. Vision §148 Some glimmering analogous prænotion of things, that are placed beyond the certain discovery..of our present state. 1856 R. A. Vaughan Mystics (1860) I. 218 The belief that the soul, when by abstinence and observances it has been purified and concentrated, has a certain extent and latitude of prenotion. |
2. A notion of something before actual experience of or acquaintance with it; a previous notion; a preconceived idea.
| 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. ii. xv. §3 This art of memory is but built upon two intentions; the one prenotion, the other emblem. 1614 Jackson Creed iii. xxi. §22 Were we well acquainted..with..those prænotions the Apostle supposed as known [etc.]. 1672 Wilkins Nat. Relig. 42 What kind of men are there any where, who have not of themselves this prenotion of a Deity? 1846 Sir W. Hamilton Dissert. in Reid's Wks. App. 762 Anticipations—Presumptions—Prenotions. |
Hence preˈnotional a., pertaining to a preconceived notion.
| 1872 De Morgan Budget of Paradoxes 383 They might have gone so far, for example, under pre-notional impressions, as the alliterative allopath, who,..opposing the progress of science called vaccination, declared that some of its patients coughed like cows, and bellowed like bulls. |