Word of the Day – Portend

Portend (verb)

poor-tend

Be a sign or warning that (something, especially something momentous or calamitous) is likely to happen.

An extremely old word portend has been used in English in the context of signs of things to come since the 15th century. The word derives from the Latin verb portendere, which means “to predict or foretell.” .

Example sentences

“So how can we say that eclipses portend anything about modern society?”

“He is comical in his delivery but what he is saying portends the tragic events that are coming.”