Portend
/pɔːrˈtɛnd/noun
To be a sign or warning that something, especially something unpleasant, is likely to happen.
Did you know?The word comes from Latin language of omens: its root *portendere* meant to “stretch forth” or “show beforehand,” so a portend was originally a sign that publicly pointed to fate.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ten-
“to stretch”
Latin
Latin
portendere
“to stretch out, show beforehand; to foretell by signs”
Late Latin
Latin
portentum
“a sign, omen, miracle, or portent”
Old French
Old French
portendre
“to foretell, signify in advance”
Middle English
English
portenden
“to foretell or indicate beforehand”
Modern English
English
portend
“to indicate or warn of something to come”