presage Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a foreboding about what is about to happen
  2. noun a sign of something about to happen
    omen; prognostic; prodigy; prognostication; portent.
    • he looked for an omen before going into battle
  3. verb indicate by signs
    omen; prefigure; auspicate; bode; betoken; portend; foreshadow; predict; foretell; augur; prognosticate; forecast.
    • These signs bode bad news

WordNet

Pre"sage noun
Etymology
F. présage, L. praesagium, from praesagire. See Presage, v. t.
Definitions
  1. Something which foreshows or portends a future event; a prognostic; an omen; an augury. "Joy and shout -- presage of victory." Milton.
  2. Power to look the future, or the exercise of that power; foreknowledge; presentiment.
    If there be aught of presage in the mind. Milton.
    Syn. -- Prognostic; omen; token; sign; presentiment.
Pre*sage" transitive verb
Etymology
F. présager, L. praesagire: prae before + sagire to perceive acutely or sharply. See Sagacious.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Presaged present participle & verbal noun Presaging
Definitions
  1. To have a presentiment of; to feel beforehand; to foreknow.
  2. To foretell; to predict; to foreshow; to indicate.
    My dreams presage some joyful news at hand. Shak.
Pre*sage" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To form or utter a prediction; -- sometimes used with of. Dryden.

Webster 1913