Predicated Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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predicated

[ˈprɛdɪkeɪtɪd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

philosophy, grammar

To predicate is to affirm or assert something about a subject. In philosophy, it often refers to the act of asserting a condition or property about a subject. In grammar, it indicates the part of a sentence or clause containing a verb and stating something about the subject. The act of predicating can involve linking a subject to a predicate, which may include descriptors or actions.

Synonyms

affirm, assert, claim.

Examples of usage

  • In the sentence 'The cat is fluffy', 'is fluffy' predicates a property of the subject.
  • The philosopher predicated the existence of free will.
  • In logic, we often predicate statements about variables.

Translations

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Origin of 'predicated'

The word 'predicate' derives from the Latin 'praedicare', meaning 'to proclaim' or 'to assert'. This Latin term is formed from 'prae-' meaning 'before' or 'in front of' and 'dicare' meaning 'to say or declare'. The use of 'predicate' in philosophical logic dates back to medieval scholars who were influenced by Aristotle's work on categorization and propositions. Over time, it has evolved to encompass various fields including linguistics, mathematics, and logic, representing the act of stating something about a subject in these domains.


Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,015, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.