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Glite Dictionary
seeress

seeress

1 9.9
A woman who says she can see the future
  • noun
  • /ˈsɪrəs/
  • Literature
translation icon : vidente
  • The villagers consulted the seeress to learn what the future held for their crops.

Examples

  • The Frodi sought the aid of seeresses and soothsayers in all parts of the land.

    Academic text (1999)

  • As we discussed earlier, Irish goddesses served several functions; they were seeresses and bestowers of sovereignty as well as warrior prowess.

    Academic text (2000)

  • There was an old woman, a seeress, seated on the edge of the well.

    Academic text (2000)

  • However, a seeress has prophesied that their friendship will not last long and that one will kill the other.

    Academic text (1997)

  • I was terribly tempted to remark that if she were truly a seeress, she would foreknow the blows in time to duck.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • Everyone turned to the seeress at the festival, hoping she could predict the coming year’s events.

  • People traveled far and wide to hear the wisdom of the renowned seeress living in the mountains.

Synonyms

forecaster
vsseeress
  • Specialized
35 3.7

A person who predicts future events using data or models

is about a woman claiming prophetic powers rather than scientific prediction methods
seer
vsseeress
23 8.0

A person who says they can see the future

is specifically female and so names a woman not a general person
astrologer
vsseeress
15 7.9

A person who says the Sun, Moon, and planets show your future

is a woman claiming foresight without relying on planetary charts or stars
soothsayer
vsseeress
  • Archaic
9 9.9

A person who says they can tell the future

is a woman who claims foresight, not necessarily using special knowledge
sibyl
vsseeress
  • Literature
7 9.9

A woman in ancient times who people believed could tell the future

is a modern feminine claim to foresight rather than an ancient role
prophetess
vsseeress
5 8.7

A woman who says a god tells her about the future

is more general, naming a woman who claims foresight without divine role
fortuneteller
vsseeress
4 6.5

A person who says they can see someone's future, often using cards or palm reading

is a woman claiming prophetic insight rather than using entertainment methods
diviner
vsseeress
3 9.9

A person who says they can learn hidden things or predict the future using spiritual ways

is about prophetic powers or foresight rather than ritual techniques
farseer
vsseeress
  • Literature
1 9.9

A person who says what will happen in the future

is about a woman with prophetic powers rather than mere skill or insight
vaticinator
vsseeress
  • Archaic
9.9

A person who says what will happen in the future, often as a job

is used for a woman claiming foresight without implying official profession
prophesier
vsseeress
9.1

A person who predicts future events

is a general woman who claims foresight rather than claiming official inspiration
oneiromancer
vsseeress
  • Literature
9.9

A person who says they can tell the future from dreams

is a woman who claims foresight beyond just dream interpretation or signs

How Prophetic

prophetess
5 8.7
oracle
  • Literature
14 8.9
seeress
  • Literature
1 9.9
soothsayer
  • Archaic
9 9.9

Surface Forms

seeress singular
seeresses plural

Morphology

seeress = seer (transparent) = seer + ess

The noun 'seer' plus the feminine derivational suffix '-ess' yields 'seeress'; the female-person meaning is directly recoverable by learners familiar with these elements.

Etymology

Seeress comes from the simple verb see meaning 'to see' and the endings -er and -ess, so it literally means 'a woman who sees' and refers to a woman believed to 'see' the future.