Predicate

Pred"i*cate, a. [L. praedicatus, p. p.] Predicated.

Pred"i*cate (?), n. [L. praedicatum, neut. of praedicatus, p. p. praedicare: cf. F. prédicat. See Predicate, v. t.] 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. (Gram.) The word or words in a proposition which express what is affirmed of the subject.

Syn. -- Affirmation; declaration.

Pred"i*cate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Predicated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Predicating.] [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." Cudworth.

Pred"i*cate, v. i. To affirm something of another thing; to make an affirmation. Sir M. Hale.