premonitory etymology

Etymology:

  • Origin: Greek "promanoia," meaning "forethought, foresight"
  • Derivation:
    • "Pro-" (before)
    • "Mainomai" (to be mad, to rave)

Meaning:

  • Relating to or indicating a future event or happening.
  • Serving as a warning or foreshadowing of something to come.
  • Having a sense of foreboding or forewarning.

Origin and Historical Usage:

The term "premonitory" has its roots in ancient Greek, where it originally described a state of madness or frenzy. Over time, it came to be associated with the ability to foresee future events and was often used to describe prophets and seers.

In the 18th century, the term began to be applied in a more general sense to any sign or indication that foreshadowed a future occurrence. By the 19th century, it had become a well-established term in psychology and literature, referring to a sense of foreboding or premonition.

Examples in Literature:

  • "The premonitory symptoms of this evil had appeared several years before it burst into such a formidable magnitude." (Thomas Paine, "Rights of Man")
  • "He had a premonitory feeling that something was about to happen." (J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Hobbit")
  • "The premonitory shudder still haunts my nights." (Edgar Allan Poe, "Berenice")

premonitory relate terms

  • premonition

    Etymology Late Middle English from Old French premonition based on Late Latin praemon

  • mystery

    Etymology The word mystery comes from the Late Latin word mysterium which in turn co

  • apocalypse

    Etymology The word apocalypse derives from the Greek word apokálypsis which means

  • folly

    Etymology The word folly is derived from the Old French word folie which itself is d

  • recreation

    Etymology The word recreation derives from the Latin recreatio meaning restoration

  • bathroom

  • handicap

    Etymology The word handicap derives from the 16th century term hand in cap referrin

  • drive

    Etymology The word drive has its roots in Old English deriving from the verb drīfan

  • career

    Etymology Late Middle English cariere from Anglo Norman French cariere from Old Fren

  • chagrin

    Etymology The word chagrin comes from the Old French word chagriner meaning to anno