I.v. dep. n. and a. [vates], to foretell, predict, prophesy, forebode, vaticinate (syn.: ominor, divino).
I. Lit.: “furor vera vaticinatur,” Cic. Div. 1, 31, 67: “quod et somniantibus saepe contingit et vaticinantibus per furorem,” id. ib. 1, 18, 34: “haec duce praedico vaticinorque deo,” Ov. P. 3, 4, 94; cf. Liv. 2, 41, 5; 5, 15, 4; Quint. 4, 2, 3; Ov. H. 16, 278; id. Ib. 268 al.—With object-clause: “saevam laesi fore numinis iram Vaticinatus erat,” Ov. M. 4, 9; 8, 773.—Poet.: “parcite, vaticinor, cognatas caede nefandā Exturbare animas,” i.e. I warn you as a prophet, Ov. M. 15, 174; cf.: “venturi praescia Manto Per medias fuerat ... Vaticinata vias,” id. ib. 6, 159: “vaticinor moneoque,” id. P. 1, 1, 47.—
II. Transf.
A. To sing or celebrate as a poet: “Agrigentinum quidem doctum quendam virum carminibus Graecis vaticinatum ferunt, quae in rerum naturā totoque mundo constarent quaeque moverentur, ea contrahere amicitiam, dissipare discordiam,” Cic. Lael. 7, 24: Ps. Parricida ... Sacrilege ... Perjure. Ba. Vetera vaticinamini, you're singing the old song, Plaut. Ps. 1, 3, 129.—
B. To rave, rant, talk foolish stuff: “vaticinari atque insanire,” Cic. Sest. 10, 23: “sed ego fortasse vaticinor, et haec omnia meliores habebunt exitus,” id. Fam. 2, 16, 6.