To predicate on or upon, is to found a proposition, argument, etc. on some basis or data. This sense of the word, said to be purely American, is not noticed by Dr. Webster or the English lexicographers. "Its use," as Mr. Pickering observes, " is very common with American writers, and in the debates of our legislative assemblies."
It ought surely to be predicated upon a full and impartial consideration of the whole subject.--Letter of John Quincy Adams.
The great state papers of American liberty were all predicated on the abuse of chartered, not of absolute rights.--Gibbs, Adminis. of Washington and J. Adams, Vol. I. p. 3.