prognostic
Americanadjective
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of or relating to prognosis.
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predictive of something in the future.
prognostic signs and symbols.
noun
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a forecast or prediction.
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an omen or portent; sign.
adjective
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of, relating to, or serving as a prognosis
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foretelling or predicting
noun
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med any symptom or sign used in making a prognosis
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a sign or forecast of some future occurrence
Other Word Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This insight opens up new avenues for the development of prognostic testing tools.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 18, 2024
Mack has found Cronin’s messages increasingly resonating the deeper he goes into his first college season based on their prognostic prowess.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 23, 2024
In addition to differences in their diuretic response, the patient subgroups also had meaningfully different clinical outcomes, highlighting the prognostic utility of the phenogrouping approach.
From Science Daily ● Jan. 30, 2024
She had a mastectomy, and there was no evidence of cancer at the time of her surgery — a great prognostic sign, Dr. Carey said.
From New York Times ● Jul. 23, 2022
The prognostic, and the dream begotten of the prognostic, were verified.
From The Works of Honor? de Balzac About Catherine de' Medici, Seraphita and Other Stories by Honor? de Balzac
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