Predicate variable in the context of Predicate (mathematical logic)

In mathematical logic, a predicate variable is a predicate letter which functions as a "placeholder" for a relation (between terms), but which has not been specifically assigned any particular relation (or meaning). Common symbols for denoting predicate variables include capital roman letters such as ${\displaystyle P}$, ${\displaystyle Q}$ and ${\displaystyle R}$, or lower case roman letters, e.g., ${\displaystyle x}$. In first-order logic, they can be more properly called metalinguistic variables. In higher-order logic, predicate variables correspond to propositional variables which can stand for well-formed formulas of the same logic, and such variables can be quantified by means of (at least) second-order quantifiers.