prognosticator

[ prog-nos-ti-key-ter ]

noun

1. a person who forecasts or predicts something future from present indications or signs; prophet:

   Maybe this faltering team can somehow defy the prognosticators and experts and make the playoffs.

2. something that is a sign or indicator of a coming event:

   The woolly bear caterpillars and other prognosticators of winter suggest we will have a more normal one this year.

Word History and Origins

Origin of prognosticator¹

First recorded in 1550–60; prognosticat(e) ( def ) + -or ²( def )

Example Sentences

The strange offseason was just the first shock to the prognosticating system.

From FiveThirtyEight

One Washington prognosticator, however, stands above the rest.

From The Daily Beast

He is," said political prognosticator Charlie Cook, "gregarious and cunning.

From The Daily Beast

Behavior is just not the reliable prognosticator we imagine it to be.

From The Daily Beast

He considered himself a prognosticator; and, what was more unfortunate, some eminent persons really thought he was.

From Project Gutenberg

The Mole has long been recorded as a prognosticator of change of weather, before which it becomes very active.

From Project Gutenberg

Two suns shone in the sky, prognosticator of still deeper frost.

From Project Gutenberg

"My husband is a weather prognosticator," commented his wife, humorously.

From Project Gutenberg

When the patchwork of mentalities was complete he allowed the conclusions of the prognosticator to occupy his mind.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• prophet
• seer
• soothsayer