envisage

 
Pronunciation: /ɪnˈvɪzɪdʒ, ɛn-/

verb

[with object]
  • contemplate or conceive of as a possibility or a desirable future event: the Rome Treaty envisaged free movement across frontiers
  • form a mental picture of (something not yet existing or known): he knew what he liked but had difficulty envisaging it

Origin:

early 19th century: from French envisager, from en- 'in' + visage 'face'