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Portended: meaning, definitions and examples

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portended

 

[ pɔːrˈtɛndɪd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

signify events

To portend something is to be a sign or warning that something is likely to happen, especially something significant or momentous. This term often implies an omen or prophetic indication of future events. It suggests a connection between present circumstances and future outcomes, indicating that current signs are foretelling what is to come.

Synonyms

foreshadow, foretell, indicate, predict

Examples of usage

  • The dark clouds portended a storm.
  • Her silence seemed to portend bad news.
  • The unusual behavior of the animals often portends natural disasters.

Translations

Translations of the word "portended" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pressagiou

🇮🇳 पूर्वानुमानित

🇩🇪 andeuten

🇮🇩 menandakan

🇺🇦 предзнаменував

🇵🇱 zapowiadał

🇯🇵 前兆である

🇫🇷 annoncé

🇪🇸 presagió

🇹🇷 belirtti

🇰🇷 예고하다

🇸🇦 أعلن

🇨🇿 předpověděl

🇸🇰 predpovedal

🇨🇳 预示

🇸🇮 napovedal

🇮🇸 fyrirsé

🇰🇿 болжап айтты

🇬🇪 წინასწარმეტყველებდა

🇦🇿 işarə etdi

🇲🇽 presagió

Word origin

The term 'portend' comes from the Latin word 'portendere', which means 'to stretch forward' or 'to indicate.' This Latin word is a combination of 'por-' meaning 'forward' and 'tendere' meaning 'to stretch.' The root of 'tendere' is also linked to other English words that signify a stretching or reaching such as 'tension' and 'tend.' The usage of 'portend' in the English language dates back to the early 17th century. It has been used to convey a sense of forewarning or premonition about future events, often with a sense of gravity or importance. Over time, 'portend' has found its place in literature and everyday language as a way to express the idea of signs that predict future occurrences.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,128 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.