portent

Definitions


[ˈpɔːt(ə)nt], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a sign or warning that a momentous or calamitous event is likely to happen
(e.g: many birds are regarded as being portents of death)

- an exceptional or wonderful person or thing
(e.g: what portent can be greater than a pious notary?)


Phrases:

Origin:
late 16th century: from Latin portentum ‘omen, token’, from the verb portendere (see portend)




definition by Oxford Dictionaries