- prophet
- c.1175, from O.Fr. prophete (11c.), from L. propheta, from Gk. prophetes (Doric prophatas) "an interpreter, spokesman," especially of the gods, from pro- "before" + root of phanai "to speak," from PIE *bha- "speak" (see fame). Used in Septuagint for Heb. nabj "soothsayer." By early writers, Gk. prophetes was translated by L. vates, but the Latinized form propheta predominated in post-Classical times, chiefly due to Christian writers, probably because of pagan associations of vates. Non-religious sense is from 1848; used of Muhammad from 1615 (translating Arabic al-nabiy, and sometimes also al-rasul, prop. "the messenger"). The L. word is glossed in O.E. by witga. Prophetess is recorded from c.1300.