Nostradamus
name, noun ·4 syllables ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 Any quack doctor or charlatan. dated
- 1 A French astrologer and author of prophecies who lived in the early 1500s.
- 2 Someone who makes accurate prophecies. broadly
"The so-called "Nostradamus" of U.S. elections has admitted he was wrong after former—and now future—president Donald Trump won the 2024 contest despite his prediction that Vice President Kamala Harris would emerge victorious."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
More examples"She refers to Nostradamus with the rather cloying nickname "Nosty"."
Etymology
Michel de Nostredame's surname is one that honors Saint Mary (Our Lady). More details (if desired) are available at Nostradamus § Childhood.
Since before 1908. Most likely from wordplay among physicians, as a playful agent noun for quacks who give nostrums to their patients, playing on wide familiarity with a cultural reference to the famous (and dubiously effective) Nostradamus.
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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.