Literary notes about foretell (AI summary)
In literature, “foretell” is commonly used to evoke the mysterious power of prophecy—whether hinting at events in the near future or spanning centuries. Authors employ the term both in the literal sense, as when a gifted seer predicts wars or famines that ripple across time ([1], [2]), and in a more symbolic way, where omens in nature or the actions of fate subtly hint at what is to come ([3], [4]). It can convey divine authority and inevitability in religious texts ([5], [6]), while in more secular narratives it serves to build suspense or underscore the inevitability of destiny ([7], [8]). Thus, by interweaving “foretell” into varied contexts, writers create layers of meaning that reinforce the enigmatic and inescapable nature of the future.
- One is the gift to foretell things that are but a little way off, the other is the gift to foretell things that are whole ages and centuries away.
— from A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain - Every one knew he could foretell wars and famines, though that was not so hard, for there was always a war and generally a famine somewhere.
— from The Mysterious Stranger: A Romance by Mark Twain - Formerly the veritable church-bell in its steeple would foretell death, by tolling thrice at the hour of midnight, unrung by human hands.
— from British Goblins: Welsh Folk-lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions by Wirt Sikes - Small inky-looking clouds foretell rain:—light scud clouds driving across heavy masses show wind and rain, but if alone, may indicate wind only.
— from Knowledge for the Time A Manual of Reading, Reference, and Conversation on Subjects of Living Interest, Useful Curiosity, and Amusing Research by John Timbs - I have told before and foretell, as present and now absent, to them that sinned before and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare.
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete - But if thou forget the Lord thy God, and follow strange gods, and serve and adore them: behold now I foretell thee that thou shalt utterly perish.
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete - So the idea of despatching the "Pearl" was abandoned for the [pg 73] moment, as it was impossible to foretell whether the Council would give in.
— from A Diplomat in Japan by Ernest Mason Satow - He might dream, but he could not foretell, the suddenness with which the old Europe, with England in its wake, was to vanish in 1870.
— from The Education of Henry Adams by Henry Adams
