predict
UK: prɪˈdɪkt | US: prɪˈdɪkt
vt. to declare or indicate in advance; foretell based on observation or reasoning
vt. to make an educated guess about a future event or outcome
predict = pre<before> + dict<say>
- pre: From Latin prae-, meaning "before" (temporal or positional).
- dict: From Latin dicare/dictus, meaning "to say" or "to declare."
Etymology Origin:
The word predict originates from Latin praedictus, the past participle of praedicere ("to say beforehand"). It combines prae- (before) and dicere (to say), reflecting the act of proclaiming something before it occurs. This logical structure—pairing temporal precedence (pre) with verbal declaration (dict)—has remained consistent in English, retaining its core meaning of forecasting or foretelling.
Meteorologists predict heavy rainfall next week.
No one could predict the sudden market crash.
The ancient oracle claimed to predict the future.
Scientists use data to predict climate trends.
Her early paintings predict the bold style she later developed.