prognostic

English

Alternative forms

• prognostick (obsolete)

Etymology

From Medieval Latin prognosticus, from Ancient Greek προγνωστικός (prognostikos, “foreknowing”), from πρό- (pro-) + γνωστικός (gnostikos, “of or for knowing, good at knowing”), from γιγνώσκω (gignosko, “to learn to know, to perceive, to mark, to learn”). Compare French pronostic (“prognostic”).

Adjective

prognostic (comparative more prognostic, superlative most prognostic)

1. Of, pertaining to or characterized by prognosis or prediction.

Synonyms

• foretelling
• predictive

Noun

prognostic (plural prognostics)

1. (rare, medicine) prognosis

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Parr to this entry?)

2. A sign by which a future event may be known or foretold.

   Careful observers may foretell the hour

   (By sure prognostics) when to dread a show’r.

   While rain depends, the pensive cat gives o’er

   Her frolics, and pursues her tail no more. Jonathan Swift

3. A prediction of the future.
   • Macaulay

     The choice of a successor was no light matter. That choice would inevitably be considered by the country as a prognostic of the highest import.

4. One who predicts the future.

Synonyms

• (sign): indication, sign, omen, foretelling, prediction

Related terms

• prognostatic
• prognosis
• prognosticable
• prognosticate

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Middle French

Noun

prognostic m (plural prognostics)

1. prognostic (prediction about the future)

Descendants

• French: pronostic