portent(共4).pptVIP

Portent portend  presage harbinger portent n -s Etymology: Latin portentum, from neuter of portentus, past participle of portendere to portend 1. : something that foreshadows a coming event : omen, sign it is only natural that ~s should play a large part in the activities of crabbers, oystermen, and fishermen -- American Guide Series: Maryland a hopeful ~ of the scope of discussion that may be expected to develop -- Vera M. Dean 2. : prophetic indication, meaning, or significance something not yet clearly to be seen, but at least of hopeful ~ in the changing world -- Martin Flavin 3. : marvel, prodigy, wonde the old maps ... and their ~s and monsters of the deep -- Van Wyck Brooks portend transitive verb - Etymology: Middle English portenden, from Latin portendere to foretell, predict, from por- (akin to Latin per through) + tendere to stretch 1. : to give an omen or anticipatory sign of : bode, presage ~ at least the beginnings of tax relief for small business -- Nations Business that the appearance of the black pig ~s serious trouble in Ireland is generally believed -- Irish Digest 2. : forecast, predict where this process will stop no one can ~ -- D.M.Friedenberg 3. : indicate, mean, signify perhaps the present concern with the values of liberal arts education ... ~s an intellectual anemia -- Ann Spinney 4. [French pourtendre, from Middle French portendre, modification of Latin protendere, from pro forth, before + tendere to stretch -- more at for ] obsolete : to stretch out before : extend synonym: foretell I presage presij, -sēj noun -s Etymology: Middle English, from Latin praesagium, from praesagire to have a presentiment of, from prae- pre- + sagire to perceive keenly 1. : something that foreshadows or portends a future event : a warning or indication of something about to happen : omen, prognostic the coming of the swallow is a true ~ of the spring -- John Worlidge sees a lunar rainbow ... as a ~ of go