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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Pronosticat(e, Prognosticat(e, v. Also: pronostoc-, pronustic-. P.t. and p.p. -at(e, -att; -atit. [e.m.E. pronostycate (a 1529), med. L. pro(g)nosticat-, p.p. stem of pro(g)nosticare to foretell. Cf. Prenosticate v., Pronostik v.]

1. tr. To predict, prophesy, foretell (an event, etc.).Const. simple obj., obj. and infin., or clause obj. 1513 Doug. v ix 63.
The feirfull spa men tharof pronosticate Schrewyt chancis to betyde 1533 Bell. Livy II 176/12.
The thing that was pronostocate be the divinoure 1549 Compl. 39/14. 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 72.
Thay that … notit thir thingis, pronosticatit na gude thing to cum

b. To utter, pronounce. — 1513 Doug. iii vi 209.
Eftir at this prophet … Thir dyvyne answeris thus pronosticate [Sm. prenosticate]

c. Of an event or thing: To foreshadow, foreshow, betoken; to be an omen, portent, or indication of (some future event). 1533 Bell. Livy II 177/15.
It was schawin be the divinouris that his fall pronosticate … his damnatioun 1549 Compl. 58/10.
Sternis of ane euyl constellation, quhilk pronosticatis future euyl accidentis 1568 Skeyne Descr. Pest 9.
As frequent wod doggis prognosticats the samin a1578 Pitsc. I 145/15.
Marvellis … quhilk pronosticat the kingis deid 1600 Crim. Trials II 215.
Which form of rigorous behauiour could prognosticate nothing to his maiestie but present extremity

2. intr. To make or utter a prophecy. a1578 Pitsc. I 166 marg.
How Couchrin caussit ane witche to come and pronosticat to the king(b) a1578 Pitsc. I 197/37.
My mother pronusticatt quhan I was ȝoung … and said that I wald be hangit