predicate

¹pred·i·cate

noun \ˈpre-di-kət\

Definition of PREDICATE

1

a : something that is affirmed or denied of the subject in a proposition in logic b : a term designating a property or relation

2

: the part of a sentence or clause that expresses what is said of the subject and that usually consists of a verb with or without objects, complements, or adverbial modifiers

— pred·i·ca·tive \-kə-tiv, -ˌkā-\ adjective

— pred·i·ca·tive·ly adverb

Examples of PREDICATE

1. In the sentence “The child threw the ball,” the subject is “the child” and the predicate is “threw the ball.”

Origin of PREDICATE

Middle English, from Late Latin praedicatum, from neuter of praedicatus

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

Rhymes with PREDICATE

dedicate