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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary por·tend
\\pȯr-ˈtend\\ transitive verb ETYMOLOGY Middle English, from Latin portendere, from por- forward (akin to per through) + tendere to stretch — more at for , thin DATE 15th century 1. to give an omen or anticipatory sign of2. indicate , signify portend
early 15c., from L. portendere "foretell," originally "to stretch forward," from por- (variant of pro-) "forth, forward" + tendere "to stretch, extend" (see tenet). Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 portendpor·tend / pC:5tend; NAmE pC:r5t- / verb [VN]
( formal) to be a sign or warning of sth that is going to happen in the future, especially sth bad or unpleasant 预兆,预示,预告(坏事)
SYN foreshadow Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged por·tend
\(ˈ)pȯr|tend, (ˈ)pȯ(ə)|t- also (ˈ)pōr|t- or (ˈ)pōə|t-\ transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s) Etymology: Middle English portenden, from Latin portendere to foretell, predict, from por- (akin to Latin per through) + tendere to stretch — more at fare , tend 1. : to give an omen or anticipatory sign of : bode , presage
< portend at least the beginnings of tax relief for small business — Nation's Business >
< that the appearance of the black pig portends serious trouble in Ireland is generally believed — Irish Digest >2. : forecast , predict
< where this process will stop no one can portend — D.M.Friedenberg >3. : indicate , mean , signify
< perhaps the present concern with the values of liberal arts education … portends an intellectual anemia — Ann Spinney >4. [French pourtendre, from Middle French portendre, modification of Latin protendere, from pro forth, before + tendere to stretch — more at for ] obsolete : to stretch out before : extend
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