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Comment by jdiff | Hacker News Reader

We have been able to predict properties of elements that had not been isolated yet. Your definition is too narrow.

We speculate properties of elements. We predict that these properties will be found.

That's a fine interpretation but it's not in complete alignment with common usage and understanding of these terms. You can define terms however you like to draw whatever conclusion you like. But they won't last long outside of a vacuum.

Yes, it is in complete alignment, and I didn't define anything, the dictionary (based on usage) does. People who use "predict" instead of "speculate" are using the wrong word.

Language evolves, and dictionaries are descriptive, not prescriptive, and notably do not back you up in either case.

> notably do not back you up in either case.

Notably they do.

Notably you speak falsehoods.

You wanna go another lap around the circle or?

From Wikipedia:

> A prediction (from Latin prae- 'before' and dictum 'something said')[1] or forecast is a statement about a future event or about future data.

Troll muted.

Yeah that definition doesn't support your claim, and again, descriptive. Mute if you want, history will prove me right regardless.

"We speculate properties of elements." -- about current events or data.

"We predict that these properties will be found." -- about future events or data.

Trolls are stupid and dishonest losers. The end ... I won't be back.

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