Normally, the vowels in unstressed syllables have a schwa instead of a long vowel. That can change with different parts of speech, however. The schwa occurs in "surface" as noun or as a verb. With "predicate", however, the long A is used in the second syllable when it is a verb.
pred·i·cate (prĕd'ĭ-kāt')
v., -cat·ed, -cat·ing, -cates.
v.tr.
v.intr.
- To base or establish (a statement or action, for example): I predicated my argument on the facts.
- To state or affirm as an attribute or quality of something: The sermon predicated the perfectibility of humankind.
- To carry the connotation of; imply.
- Logic. To make (a term or expression) the predicate of a proposition.
- To proclaim or assert; declare.
To make a statement or assertion.
n. (-kĭt)
adj. (-kĭt)
- Grammar. One of the two main constituents of a sentence or clause, modifying the subject and including the verb, objects, or phrases governed by the verb, as opened the door in Jane opened the door or is very sleepy in The child is very sleepy.
- Logic. That part of a proposition that is affirmed or denied about the subject. For example, in the proposition We are mortal, mortal is the predicate.
- Grammar. Of or belonging to the predicate of a sentence or clause.
- Stated or asserted; predicated.

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