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Definition of predicates - 2 dictionary results

pred⋅i⋅cate

  [v. pred-i-keyt; adj., n. pred-i-kit] verb, -cat⋅ed, -cat⋅ing, adjective, noun
Use predicates in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to proclaim; declare; affirm; assert.
2. Logic.
a. to affirm or assert (something) of the subject of a proposition.
b. to make (a term) the predicate of such a proposition.
3. to connote; imply: His retraction predicates a change of attitude.
4. to found or derive (a statement, action, etc.); base (usually fol. by on): He predicated his behavior on his faith in humanity.
–verb (used without object)
5. to make an affirmation or assertion.
–adjective
6. predicated.
7. Grammar. belonging to the predicate: a predicate noun.
–noun
8. Grammar. (in many languages, as English) a syntactic unit that functions as one of the two main constituents of a simple sentence, the other being the subject, and that consists of a verb, which in English may agree with the subject in number, and of all the words governed by the verb or modifying it, the whole often expressing the action performed by or the state attributed to the subject, as is here in Larry is here.
9. Logic. that which is affirmed or denied concerning the subject of a proposition.
Origin:
1400–50; (n.) late ME (< MF predicat) < ML praedicātum, n. use of neut. of L praedicātus, ptp. of praedicāre to declare publicly, assert, equiv. to prae- pre- + dicā(re) to show, indicate, make known + -tus ptp. suffix; (v. and adj.) < L praedicātus; cf. preach

Related forms:
pred⋅i⋅ca⋅tion, noun
pred⋅i⋅ca⋅tion⋅al, adjective
pred⋅i⋅ca⋅tive  [pred-i-key-tiv, -kuh-; Brit. pri-dik-uh-tiv] , adjective
pred⋅i⋅ca⋅tive⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To predicates
pred·i·cate   (prěd'ĭ-kāt')   
v.   pred·i·cat·ed, pred·i·cat·ing, pred·i·cates

v.   tr.
  1. To base or establish (a statement or action, for example): I predicated my argument on the facts.
  2. To state or affirm as an attribute or quality of something: The sermon predicated the perfectibility of humankind.
  3. To carry the connotation of; imply.
  4. Logic To make (a term or expression) the predicate of a proposition.
  5. To proclaim or assert; declare.
v.   intr.
To make a statement or assertion.
n.   (-kĭt)
  1. Grammar One of the two main constituents of a sentence or clause, modifying the subject and including the verb, objects, or phrases governed by the verb, as opened the door in Jane opened the door or is very sleepy in The child is very sleepy.
  2. Logic That part of a proposition that is affirmed or denied about the subject. For example, in the proposition We are mortal, mortal is the predicate.
adj.   (-kĭt)
  1. Grammar Of or belonging to the predicate of a sentence or clause.
  2. Stated or asserted; predicated.

[Late Latin praedicāre, praedicāt-, from Latin, to proclaim : prae-, pre- + dicāre, to proclaim; see deik- in Indo-European roots.]
pred'i·ca'tion n., pred'i·ca'tion·al adj., pred'i·ca'tive adj., pred'i·ca'tive·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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