— predictable , adj. — predictability , n. — predictably , adv.
/pri dikt"/ , v.t.
1. to declare or tell in advance; prophesy; foretell: to predict the weather; to predict the fall of a civilization.
v.i.
2. to foretell the future; make a prediction.
[ 1540-50; praedictus, ptp. of praedicere to foretell, equiv. to prae- PRE- + dic-, var. s. of dicere to say + - tus ptp. suffix; see DICTUM ]
Syn. 1, 2. presage, divine, augur, project, prognosticate, portend. PREDICT, PROPHESY, FORESEE, FORECAST mean to know or tell (usually correctly) beforehand what will happen. To PREDICT is usually to foretell with precision of calculation, knowledge, or shrewd inference from facts or experience: The astronomers can predict an eclipse; it may, however, be used without the implication of underlying knowledge or expertise: I predict she'll be a success at the party. PROPHESY usually means to predict future events by the aid of divine or supernatural inspiration: Merlin prophesied the two knights would meet in conflict; this verb, too, may be used in a more general, less specific sense. I prophesy he'll be back in the old job.
To FORESEE refers specifically not to the uttering of predictions but to the mental act of seeing ahead; there is often (but not always) a practical implication of preparing for what will happen: He was clever enough to foresee this shortage of materials. FORECAST has much the same meaning as PREDICT; it is used today particularly of the weather and other phenomena that cannot easily be accurately predicted: Rain and snow are forecast for tonight. Economists forecast a rise in family income.