"one who or that which predicts or foretells," 1650s, from Medieval Latin praedictor, agent noun from praedicere "foretell, advise, give notice" (see predict). Statistical sense is from 1950.
Entries linking to predictor
predict v.
1620s (implied in predicted), "foretell, prophesy, declare before the event happens," a back formation from prediction or else from Latin praedicatus, past participle of praedicere "foretell, advise, give notice," from prae "before" (see pre-) + dicere "to say" (from PIE root *deik- "to show," also "pronounce solemnly"). Related: Predicted; predicting.