‖ præcognitum
(priːˈkɒgnɪtəm)
Pl. -a. Also 8–9 pre-.
[L., f. præ before + cognitum, neut. pa. pple. of cognōscĕre to know: see cognosce, precognition.]
Something known beforehand; esp. something necessary or assumed to be known as a basis of reasoning, investigation, or study; a principle. Chiefly in pl.
| 1634 J. B[ate] Myst. Nat. 53 To set down some few Præcognita or Principles (as I may so call them). a 1667 Jer. Taylor Serm. John vii. 17 Wks. 1831 IV. 24 In this inquiry, I must take one thing for a præcognitum, that every good man..is ‘taught of God’. 1743 Emerson Fluxions Pref. 16 It would be but lost Labour for any Person unacquainted with these Precognita, to spend any Time in reading this Book. 1846 T. Callaway Dislocations & Fract. Clavicle & Shoulder-joint (1849) 5 To start with certain præcognita. |