portend etymology

Etymology:

• Old French: portendre
• Latin: portendere, from porro ("forward") + tendere ("to stretch")

Meaning:

To indicate or foreshadow something about the future, usually something negative or ominous.

Origin:

The Latin word "portendere" was originally used in the sense of "to stretch out before or in front" or "to present." Over time, it came to be used metaphorically to refer to the idea of stretching out into the future and indicating what is to come.

Historical Use:

• In Roman literature, "portendere" was often used in the context of omens or prophecies, indicating that something significant would happen in the future.
• In English, the word "portend" first appeared in the late 14th century. It was initially used in a more literal sense, meaning to stretch out before or present.
• By the 16th century, "portend" had acquired its current meaning of foreshadowing or indicating something about the future.

Examples of Usage:

• "The dark clouds portend a storm."
• "The stock market's recent instability portends a potential economic downturn."
• "Her mysterious smile portended nothing good."

portend relate terms

• portent

  Etymology The word portent comes from the Latin word portentum which means omen or

• portend

  Etymology Old French portendre Latin portendere from porro forward tendere t

• portentous

  Etymology Latin portentosus Meaning having the nature of a portent or omen Mean

• portend

  Etymology Old French portendre Latin portendere from porro forward tendere t

• bode

  Etymology The term bode comes from the Middle English word boden which is a derivat

• prognosticate

  Etymology From Old French prognoster from Late Latin prognosticari from Greek prognos

• presage

• signify

  Etymology Latin significare Meaning to make a sign indicate express Derived from

• signal

  Etymology The word signal derives from the Old French word segnal which in turn com

• betoken

  Etymology The word betoken comes from the Old English word betacnian which means to

• pinot

  Etymology The etymology of the word pinot is uncertain but there are several theories

• point

  Etymology The word point comes from the Latin word punctum which means a prick a d

• predict

  Etymology Predict is derived from the Latin word praedicere which means to proclaim

• Nome

  Etymology The name Nome derives from the Ancient Greek term nomos which means distri