mindmap root((预告)) foretell applies to the telling of a future event by any procedure or from any source of information: seers ~ of calamitous events. predict commonly implies inference from facts or from accepted laws of nature: astronomers ~ed the return of the comet. forecast adds the implication of anticipating eventualities and differs from predict in being usually concerned with probabilities rather than certainties: ~ a snowfall of six inches. prophesy connotes inspired or mystic knowledge of the future, especially as the fulfilling of divine threats or promises, or implies great assurance in predicting: preachers ~ing a day of divine retribution. prognosticate suggests prediction based on the learned or skilled interpretation of signs or symptoms: economists are ~ing a slow recovery.