seer

views updated May 29 2018

seer1 / ˈsēər; si(ə)r/ • n. 1. a person who is supposed to be able, through supernatural insight, to see what the future holds. ∎  an expert who provides forecasts of the economic or political future: our seers have grown gloomier about prospects for growth.2. [usu. in comb.] chiefly archaic a person who sees something specified: a seer of the future ghost-seers.seer2 / si(ə)r/ • n. (in the Indian subcontinent) a varying unit of weight (about one kilogram) or liquid measure (about one liter).

Seer (or Seeress)

views updated May 18 2018

Seer (or Seeress)

A traditional term for a person who manifests clairvoyance or precognition. In ancient Israel the term was replaced by "judge." The judges used their psychic abilities to guide the twelve tribes from the time of the settlement in Palestine until the establishment of the monarchy under Saul (I Samuel 9:9). In Scotland it is equated with the possession of second sight.

seer

views updated May 29 2018

seer one who sees visions of divine things XIV; one who sees XV; magician, crystal-gazer XVII. f. SEE1 + -ER1.