'Portending' definitions:

Definition of 'Portending'

From: GCIDE
  • Portend \Por*tend"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Portended; p. pr. & vb. n. Portending.] [L. portendre, portentum, to foretell, to predict, to impend, from an old preposition used in comp. + tendere to stretch. See Position, Tend.]
  • 1. To indicate (events, misfortunes, etc.) as in future; to foreshow; to foretoken; to bode; -- now used esp. of unpropitious signs. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
  • Many signs portended a dark and stormy day. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To stretch out before. [R.] "Doomed to feel the great Idomeneus' portended steel." --Pope. [1913 Webster]
  • Syn: To foreshow; foretoken; betoken; forebode; augur; presage; foreshadow; threaten. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'Portending'