por-tend Meaning, Definition & Usage

Por-tend" transitive verb

Etymology

L. portendre, portentum, to foretell, to predict, to impend, from an old preposition used in comp. + tendere to stretch. See Position, Tend.

Wordforms

imperfect & past participle Portended; present participle & verbal noun Portending

Definitions

1. To indicate (events, misfortunes, etc.) as in future; to foreshow; to foretoken; to bode; -- now used esp. of unpropitious signs. Bacon.

   Many signs portended a dark and stormy day. Macaulay.

2. To stretch out before. R. "Doomed to feel the great Idomeneus' portended steel." Pope. Syn. -- To foreshow; foretoken; betoken; forebode; augur; presage; foreshadow; threaten.