predicate
Noun · VerbOpen English WordNet
Noun (2)
- (logic) what is predicated of the subject of a proposition; the second term in a proposition is predicated of the first term by means of the copula“‘Socrates is a man’ predicates manhood of Socrates”Type of term
- one of the two main constituents of a sentence; the predicate contains the verb and its complementsSynonyms: verb phraseType of phrase
Verb (3)predicated, predicating
- make the (grammatical) predicate in a proposition“The predicate ‘dog’ is predicated of the subject ‘Fido’ in the sentence ‘Fido is a dog’”More general relate
- affirm or declare as an attribute or quality of“The speech predicated the fitness of the candidate to be President”Synonyms: proclaimMore general assert, asseverate
- involve as a necessary condition of consequence; as in logic“solving the problem is predicated on understanding it well”Synonyms: connoteMore general imply
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Origin: L. praedicatus, p. p. of praedicare to cry in public, to proclaim. See Preach.
1. To assert to belong to something; to affirm (one thing of another); as, to predicate whiteness of snow.
2. To found; to base. U.S.
☞ Predicate is sometimes used in the United States for found or base; as, to predicate an argument on certain principles; to predicate a statement on information received. Predicate is a term in logic, and used only in a single case, namely, when we affirm one thing of another. “Similitude is not predicated of essences or substances, but of figures and qualities only.” Ralph Cudworth
To affirm something of another thing; to make an affirmation. Sir Matt. Hale
Origin: L. praedicatum, neut. of praedicatus, p. p. praedicare: cf. F. prédicat. See Predicate, transitive verb
1. Logic That which is affirmed or denied of the subject. In these propositions, “Paper is white,” “Ink is not white,” whiteness is the predicate affirmed of paper and denied of ink.
2. Grammar The word or words in a proposition which express what is affirmed of the subject.
Synonyms: Affirmation; declaration.
Origin: L. praedicatus, p. p.
Predicated.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54