presentiment

[ pri-zen-tuh-muhnt ]

noun

1. a feeling or impression that something is about to happen, especially something evil; foreboding.

presentiment

/ prɪˈzɛntɪmənt /

noun

1. a sense of something about to happen; premonition

Other Words From

• pre·senti·mental adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of presentiment¹

1705–15; < French, now obsolete spelling of pressentiment. See pre-, sentiment

Word History and Origins

Origin of presentiment¹

C18: from obsolete French, from pressentir to sense beforehand; see pre- , sentiment

Example Sentences

He did not take his new work seriously, although he had no presentiment of his future destiny.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, with a swift, nervous presentiment, he turned quickly around towards the man who had been standing in the shadows.

From Project Gutenberg

He was running and making much noise, and I had a presentiment that something very evil had happened.

From Project Gutenberg

Whence comes this species of secret presentiment which is never wrong in its appreciation?

From Project Gutenberg

Even I had no presentiment,' added Anna with a bitter smile, as though reproaching herself for it.

From Project Gutenberg