vaticinate

/vəˈtɪ.səˌneɪt/

vaticinate means to predict or foretell future events; to prophesy or presage. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 88 out of 100.

vaticinate is pronounced /vəˈtɪ.səˌneɪt/.

Why “vaticinate” is a great word

VATICINATE — [Verb] To predict or foretell future events, especially by divine inspiration or prophetic insight. From Latin vāticinātus, past participle of vāticinārī ("to prophesy, foretell"), from vātēs ("prophet, seer") + -cinārī (a suffix related to singing or proclaiming). First attested in English in the 1620s. Unlike "predict," which implies a reasoned forecast from observable data, or "augur," which suggests divination from specific signs, to vaticinate is to channel a vision in an ecstatic, unmediated utterance. It is the trance-spoken verse of the priestess at Delphi, the ragged cry of the seer on the blasted heath, or the poet scribbling verses he cannot fully understand—the lonely and haunting sound of a human voice claiming to speak for the silent future.

Etymology

From Latin vāticinātus, perfect passive participle of vāticinor (“foretell, prophesy”).

verb

To predict or foretell future events; to prophesy or presage.“With a slow step, and tears in her eyes, Mrs. Glentworth, vaticinating trouble of some kind, proceeded to cut the string and break the seal of her pacquet.”