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Definition of portent - 2 dictionary results

por⋅tent

  [pawr-tent, pohr-]
Use portent in a Sentence
–noun
1. an indication or omen of something about to happen, esp. something momentous.
2. threatening or disquieting significance: an occurrence of dire portent.
3. a prodigy or marvel.
Origin:
1555–65; < L portentum sign, token, n. use of neut. of portentus, ptp. of portendere to portend

Synonyms:
1. augury, warning. See sign. 2. import.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To portent
por·tent   (pôr'těnt', pōr'-)   
n.  

  1. An indication of something important or calamitous about to occur; an omen.

  2. Prophetic or threatening significance: signs full of portent.

  3. Something amazing or marvelous; a prodigy.


[Latin portentum, from neuter past participle of portendere, to portend; see portend.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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