† cole-prophet Obs.
Also col-, coll-, (written both conjointly and separately); also later cold(e prophet.
[Apparently f. cole n.2, a conjuring trick, or deceiver, cheat. The later cold prophet is evidently a perversion by ‘popular etymology’; it shows that the sense of cole was forgotten by 1579; also that the word had in 16th c. a long ō, and was not ME. cole = cool.]
One who pretends, by magic or occult means, to predict the future, tell fortunes, etc.; a wizard, sorcerer, diviner, necromancer, fortune-teller.
| 1532 More Confut. Tindale Wks. 707/1 [No] nede to send ani such coll prophetes as these heretikes are, to teache his church the faithe. 1559 Mirr. Mag., Owen Glendour xxxi, I found I was the hartles hare And not the beast Colprophete did declare. 1562 J. Heywood Prov. & Epigr. (1867) 17 Ye plaie coleprophet who takth in hande, To knowe his answere before he do his errande. 1574 Life 70th Abp. Canterb. Pref. C vij b, Conjuring witches and coleprophetes, seduced by the lying spyrite as was Merline. 1579 Lyly Euphues (Arb.) 78 You may Gentleman accompt me for a colde Prophet, thus hastely to deuine of your disposition. 1584 R. Scot Discov. Witchcr. ix. iii. 137 To plaie the cold prophet, as to recount it good or bad lucke, when salt or wine falleth on the table. 1601 Deacon & Walker Answ. Darel 40 Some supernaturall Coleprophet. 1603 Knolles Hist. Turks 1014 (N.) As hee was most vainely persuaded by the cold prophets, to whom he gave no small credit. 1614 Raleigh Hist. World ii. 533 He foretold the death of this cold Prophet. |