Omen
/ˈoʊ.mən/noun
A phenomenon regarded as a portent of future events.
Did you know?In ancient Rome, omens were considered divine messages, often interpreted by priests using animal entrails or the flight patterns of birds!
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₁ōmen
“to predict or foretell”
Latin
Latin
omen
“sign, portent, or warning of future events”
Old French
Old French
omena
“sign or warning, deriving from Latin”
Middle English
Middle English
omen
“a sign or warning, particularly of ill fortune”
Modern English
English
omen
“a phenomenon that is believed to foretell a future event”