predicate

CEFRB2

/ˈpɹɛd.ɪ.kət/

noun · verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    The part of a sentence that says what the subject does or is.

  2. 02

    verb

    To base an idea or action on something.

Examples

  • This sentence has a predicate but no subject.

  • The sentence must have a predicate.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
5

Also pronounced

  • /ˈpɹɛdɪˌkeɪt/

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. A term of a statement, where the statement may be true or false depending on whether the thing referred to by the values of the statement's variables has the property signified by that (predicative) term.

  2. An operator, expression, or function that returns either true or false.

  3. The part of the sentence (or clause) which states a property that a subject has or is characterized by.

More examples

In context

  • A predicate is either valid, satisfiable, or unsatisfiable.

  • A propositional variable may be treated as a nullary predicate.

  • The law is what constitutes both desire and the lack on which it is predicated.

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The well-known scientific theory can blank that all matter is composed of tiny atoms.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

From Middle English predicat(e), from Old French predicat (French prédicat), from Medieval Latin praedicātum (“thing said of a subject, predicate”), substantivized from the nominative neuter singular of praedicātus, the perfect passive participle praedicō (“to proclaim”), see -ate (noun-forming suffix); see also Etymology 2 below. The adjective was derived from the noun by metanalysis, see -ate (adjective-forming suffix).