clairvoyance
UK[kleəˈvɔɪəns]US[klerˈvɔɪəns]
n
the supposed ability to perceive events in the future or beyond normal sensory contact.
n
exceptional insight or perceptiveness.
Morpheme Breakdown
clair
voy
ance
clair
clear
voy
see
ance
noun suffix
Etymology
the word 'clairvoyance' is a modern french loanword, entering english in the 17th century. it is a compound of the french elements 'clair', meaning 'clear', and 'voyant', the present participle of 'voir', meaning 'to see'. the literal construction thus means 'clear-seeing'. this concept evolved from the latin roots 'clarus' (clear, bright, famous) and 'videre' (to see). the abstract modern meaning, denoting the paranormal ability to see beyond normal perception or exceptional foresight, developed from this literal idea of possessing an unobstructed or penetrating vision that transcends ordinary sight.
Analysis
Structure: clair (clear) + voy (see) + ance (noun suffix)
clair (from old french, meaning 'clear', from latin 'clarus'); voy (from old french 'voir', meaning 'to see', from latin 'videre'); ance (noun-forming suffix from old french, from latin '-antia', indicating a state or quality).
Examples
the fortune teller claimed her clairvoyance allowed her to predict major world events.
his analysis of the market was so accurate it seemed almost like clairvoyance.
the novel's protagonist uses her clairvoyance to solve mysteries that baffle the police.