harbinger Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone
    predecessor; herald; forerunner; precursor.
  2. verb foreshadow or presage
    herald; announce; foretell; annunciate.

WordNet

Har"bin*ger noun
Etymology
OE. herbergeour, OF. herbergeor one who provides lodging, fr. herbergier to provide lodging, F. héberger, OF. herberge lodging, inn, F. auberge; of German origin. See Harbor.
Definitions
  1. One who provides lodgings; especially, the officer of the English royal household who formerly preceded the court when traveling, to provide and prepare lodgings. Fuller.
  2. A forerunner; a precursor; a messenger.
    I knew by these harbingers who were coming. Landor.
Har"bin*ger transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Harbingered ; present participle & verbal noun Harbingering
Definitions
  1. To usher in; to be a harbinger of. "Thus did the star of religious freedom harbinger the day." Bancroft.

Webster 1913