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prognosticate

[ prog-nos-ti-keyt ]
/ prɒgˈnɒs tɪˌkeɪt /
||
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verb (used with object), prog·nos·ti·cat·ed, prog·nos·ti·cat·ing.

to forecast or predict (something future) from present indications or signs; prophesy.
to foretoken; presage: birds prognosticating spring.

verb (used without object), prog·nos·ti·cat·ed, prog·nos·ti·cat·ing.

to make a forecast; prophesy.

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RELATED WORDS

herald, harbinger, divine, read, prophesy, betoken, adumbrate, forecast, foreshadow, forebode, augur, vaticinate, portend, presage, soothsay

Nearby words

  1. prognathous,
  2. prognose,
  3. prognosis,
  4. prognostic,
  5. prognostic chart,
  6. prognostication,
  7. progradation,
  8. prograde,
  9. program,
  10. program director

Origin of prognosticate

1375–1425; late Middle English < Medieval Latin prognōsticātus, past participle of prognōsticāre. See prognostic, -ate1
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for prognosticate

British Dictionary definitions for prognosticate

prognosticate

/ (prɒɡˈnɒstɪˌkeɪt) /

verb

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

Word Origin for prognosticate

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

prognosticate

v.

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

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for prognosticate

prognosticate

[ prŏg-nŏs′tĭ-kāt′ ]

v.

To predict according to present indications or signs; foretell.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.