presage
1pres·age
noun \ˈpre-sij, also pri-ˈsāj\Definition of PRESAGE
1
: something that foreshadows or portends a future event : omen
2
: an intuition or feeling of what is going to happen in the future
3
archaic : prognostication
4
: warning or indication of the future
— pre·sage·ful \pri-ˈsāj-fəl\ adjective
Examples of PRESAGE
- <I had a nagging presage that the results of my medical tests would not be good.>
- <the sight of the first robin is always a welcome presage of spring>
Origin of PRESAGE
Middle English, from Latin praesagium, from praesagus having a foreboding, from prae- + sagus prophetic — more at seek
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to PRESAGE
- Synonyms
- foreboding, premonition, presentiment, prognostication
Rhymes with PRESAGE
2pre·sage
verb \ˈpre-sij, pri-ˈsāj\pre·sagedpre·sag·ing
Definition of PRESAGE
transitive verb
1
: to give an omen or warning of : foreshadow
intransitive verb
: to make or utter a prediction
— pre·sag·er noun, obsolete
Examples of PRESAGE
- Many investors are worried that the current slowdown could presage another recession.
- events that presaged the civil rights movement
First Known Use of PRESAGE
1562
Related to PRESAGE
- Synonyms
- augur, call, forecast, predict, foretell, prognosticate, prophesy, read, vaticinate
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