Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Definition of portent - 2 dictionary results

por⋅tent

[pawr-tent, pohr-]
–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


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.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see portent on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us: