prognostic

American  

[prog-nos-tik] / prɒgˈnɒs tɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to prognosis.

2. predictive of something in the future.

   prognostic signs and symbols.

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noun

1. a forecast or prediction.

2. an omen or portent; sign.

prognostic British  

/ prɒɡˈnɒstɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or serving as a prognosis

2. foretelling or predicting

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noun

1. med any symptom or sign used in making a prognosis

2. a sign or forecast of some future occurrence

Other Word Forms

• prognosticable
  adjective
• prognostically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of prognostic

First recorded in 1375–1425; (for the adjective) late Middle English pronostik, from Medieval Latin prognōsticus, from Greek prognōstikós “of foreknowledge”; equivalent to pro- ² + gnostic; noun derivative of the adjective

Explanation

A prognostic is like a sneak peek into the future, offering clues or predictions about what might happen next, especially in medicine or weather forecasting. In medicine, doctors often talk about prognostic factors, which are signs or symptoms that help predict how a patient's illness will progress. Similarly, in weather forecasting, certain cloud formations can be prognostic of an approaching storm. Coming from the Greek word prognōstikos, meaning "foreknowing," this term is used to offer insight into future events, helping people anticipate and prepare for what may come.

Example Sentences

Prognostic means one's ability to predict the future; myopia means nearsightedness.

From Salon • May 8, 2022

Swoonings which attack old People, without any manifest Cause, always afford an unfavourable Prognostic.

From Advice to the people in general, with regard to their health by Tissot, S. A. D. (Samuel Auguste David)

These also deposite a white Sediment, which affords no bad Prognostic.

From Advice to the people in general, with regard to their health by Tissot, S. A. D. (Samuel Auguste David)

Swoonings, which supervene in the Course of other Diseases, never afford a favourable Prognostic; as they denote Weakness, and Weakness is an Obstacle to Recovery.

From Advice to the people in general, with regard to their health by Tissot, S. A. D. (Samuel Auguste David)

The first relates to the "Prognostic Signs of the Weather" and the second is "On the Oxyacetite of Iron as a Test or Reagent for the Discovery of Arsenic."

From James Cutbush An American Chemist, 1788-1823 by Smith, Edgar Fahs