foreseeable English · revision 1874

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1804}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /fɔːˈsiː.ə.bəl/, /fəˈsiː.ə.bəl/ ''(UK)''; /fɔɹˈsi.ə.bəl/, /fɚˈsi.ə.bəl/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed [[af|en|foresee|-able]].^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ That may be foreseen (1804).^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The Shorter Oxford notes that the negative ''unforeseeable'' is recorded earlier, in the late 17th century.^(SOED 2002) The word is especially frequent in the phrase ''foreseeable future'', the period over which the course of events can reasonably be predicted.^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002) The derived noun ''foreseeability'' (early 20th century) is often used in legal contexts.^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * late 17th century – ''unforeseeable''.^(SOED 2002)

+ * 1804 – ''foreseeable''.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(MWU 2024)

+ * early 20th century – ''foreseeability''.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Such as can reasonably be [[anticipate|alt=anticipated]] or [[foresee|alt=foreseen]].^(MW Collegiate)^(MWU 2024)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Lying within the range for which [[forecast]]s are possible, as in ''the foreseeable future''.^(MW Collegiate)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[foreseeability]]

+ * [[unforeseeable]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[foresee]]

+ * [[foresight]]

+ * [[unforeseen]]

+ * [[see]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}