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prognosticate

[prog-nos-ti-keyt]
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verb (used with object), prog·nos·ti·cat·ed, prog·nos·ti·cat·ing.
  1. to forecast or predict (something future) from present indications or signs; prophesy.
  2. to foretoken; presage: birds prognosticating spring.
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verb (used without object), prog·nos·ti·cat·ed, prog·nos·ti·cat·ing.
  1. to make a forecast; prophesy.
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Origin of prognosticate

1375–1425; late Middle English < Medieval Latin prognōsticātus, past participle of prognōsticāre. See prognostic, -ate1
Related formsprog·nos·ti·ca·tive, prog·nos·ti·ca·to·ry [prog-nos-ti-kuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /prɒgˈnɒs tɪ kəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjectiveprog·nos·ti·ca·tor, nounnon·prog·nos·ti·ca·tive, adjectiveun·prog·nos·ti·cat·ed, adjectiveun·prog·nos·ti·ca·tive, adjective

Synonyms

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1. foretell, foresee, project.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for prognosticate

Historical Examples

  • Of the mineral wealth, it seems as yet dangerous to prognosticate.

    South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. 1 (of 6)

    Louis Creswicke

  • A stir seemed to her to prognosticate a rescue and she went not unwillingly.

  • Nevertheless, reasoning a priori, there are some features we may prognosticate.

    Wanderings in Ireland

    Michael Myers Shoemaker

  • Some of these consequences I can prognosticate; others I can hope for.

  • Is this to prognosticate peace, or to mock at my unhappiness?

    Frankenstein

    Mary Shelley

British Dictionary definitions for prognosticate

prognosticate

verb
  1. to foretell (future events) according to present signs or indications; prophesy
  2. (tr) to foreshadow or portend
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Derived Formsprognostication, nounprognosticative, adjectiveprognosticator, noun

Word Origin

C16: from Medieval Latin prognōsticāre to predict
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for prognosticate

v.

early 15c., a back-formation from prognostication and also from Medieval Latin prognosticatus, past participle of prognosticare (see prognostication). Related: Prognosticated; prognosticating.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
prognosticate in Medicine

prognosticate

(prŏg-nŏs′tĭ-kāt′)
v.
  1. To predict according to present indications or signs; foretell.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.