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portent
[ pawr-tent, pohr- ]
/ ËpÉr tÉnt, ËpoÊr- /
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Definition of portent
noun
an indication or omen of something about to happen, especially something momentous.
threatening or disquieting significance: an occurrence of dire portent.
a prodigy or marvel.
QUIZ
QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!
Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.
Question 1 of 7
âWasâ is used for the indicative past tense of âto be,â and âwereâ is only used for the subjunctive past tense.
Origin of portent
First recorded in 1555â65; from Latin portentum âsign, token,â noun use of neuter of portentus, past participle of portendere âto signify, presage, portendâ; see portend
synonym study for portent
1. See sign.
Words nearby portent
Porte, porte-cochere, Port Elizabeth, portend, port engineer, portent, portentous, porter, porterage, porter chair, Porter, Cole
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use portent in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for portent
portent
/ (ËpÉËtÉnt) /
noun
a sign or indication of a future event, esp a momentous or calamitous one; omen
momentous or ominous significancea cry of dire portent
a miraculous occurrence; marvel
Word Origin for portent
C16: from Latin portentum sign, omen, from portendere to portend
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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