predicate

[ noun adjective pred-i-kit; verb pred-i-keyt ]

noun

1. Grammar. (in many languages, such as English) one of the two main parts of a sentence, containing the verb and any of its objects, modifiers, or other completions, and generally expressing an action, state, or condition: for example, got here quickly in Larry got here quickly, or ate a cookie in I ate a cookie, or slept in The exhausted student slept. Compare subject ( def 9 ).
2. Logic. that which is affirmed or denied concerning the subject of a proposition.

verb (used with object)

, pred·i·cat·ed, pred·i·cat·ing.

1. to found or derive (a statement, action, etc.); base (usually followed by on ): The modern situation is predicated on the illusion of total independence.

   He predicated his behavior on his faith in humanity.

   The modern situation is predicated on the illusion of total independence.

2. to proclaim; declare; affirm; assert:

   A spokesperson predicated that the Supreme Court wouldn't overrule the doctrine of dual sovereignty.

3. Logic.
   1. to affirm or assert (something) of the subject of a proposition.
   2. to make (a term) the predicate of such a proposition.
4. to connote; imply:

   His retraction predicates a change of attitude.

verb (used without object)

, pred·i·cat·ed, pred·i·cat·ing.

1. to make an affirmation or assertion.

adjective

1. predicated.
2. Grammar. belonging to the predicate:

   a predicate noun.

predicate

verb

1. also intr; when tr, may take a clause as object to proclaim, declare, or affirm
2. to imply or connote
3. foll byon or upon to base or found (a proposition, argument, etc)
4. logic
   1. to assert or affirm (a property, characteristic, or condition) of the subject of a proposition
   2. to make (a term, expression, etc) the predicate of a proposition

noun

1. grammar
   1. the part of a sentence in which something is asserted or denied of the subject of a sentence; one of the two major components of a sentence, the other being the subject
   2. ( as modifier )

      a predicate adjective

2. logic
   1. an expression that is derived from a sentence by the deletion of a name
   2. a property, characteristic, or attribute that may be affirmed or denied of something. The categorial statement all men are mortal relates two predicates, is a man and is mortal
   3. the term of a categorial proposition that is affirmed or denied of its subject. In this example all men is the subject, and mortal is the predicate
   4. a function from individuals to truth values, the truth set of the function being the extension of the predicate

adjective

1. of or relating to something that has been predicated

predicate

1. The part of a sentence that shows what is being said about the subject . The predicate includes the main verb and all its modifiers . In the following sentence, the italicized portion is the predicate: “Olga's dog was the ugliest creature on four legs .”

Derived Forms

• ˌprediˈcation, noun

Other Words From

• pred·i·ca·tion [pred-i-, key, -sh, uh, n], noun
• pred·i·ca·tive [pred, -i-key-tiv, -k, uh, -, pri-, dik, -, uh, -tiv], adjective
• pred·i·ca·tive·ly adverb
• non·pred·i·ca·tive adjective
• non·pred·i·ca·tive·ly adverb
• sub·pred·i·cate noun
• sub·pred·i·ca·tive adjective
• un·pred·i·cat·ed adjective
• un·pred·i·ca·tive adjective
• un·pred·i·ca·tive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of predicate¹

First recorded in 1400–50; (noun) late Middle English, from Middle French predicat or from Medieval Latin praedicātum, noun use of neuter of Latin praedicātus “declared publicly,” past participle of praedicāre “to declare publicly, assert” ( pre- ( def ), indicate ( def ) ); (verb and adjective) from Latin praedicātus; preach ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of predicate¹

C16: from Latin praedicāre to assert publicly, from prae in front, in public + dīcere to say

Example Sentences

FRIEDMAN: I think you also laid the predicate for the Iran negotiations.

From The Daily Beast

His 2004 Democratic Convention address propelled him into the national spotlight, laying the presidential predicate.

From The Daily Beast

The major term is usually the predicate of the major premise and the predicate of the conclusion.

From Project Gutenberg

An argument that uses as a premise such a cause may predicate its effect as a conclusion with absolute certainty.

From Project Gutenberg

Forcing the subject toward the position usually occupied by the predicate emphasizes the subject.

From Project Gutenberg

Unity therefore dwells within us, and it is in us without the object of which we predicate that it is some one thing.

From Project Gutenberg

To predicate it of activity, would be to make it depend on things alien to virtue and the soul.

From Project Gutenberg