portentous

Definition

Of momentous or ominous significance.

Etymology

Of multiple origins: * Borrowed from Latin portentōsus, from portentus (“predicted”) + -ōsus. Compare earlier portentuous (via Middle English from Latin portentuōsus). By surface analysis, portent + -ous. * Borrowed from French portentueux

Example Sentences

• "Well may it sort [be fitting] that this portentous figure comes armed through our watch, so like the King that was and is the question of these wars."
• "It is no longer in my possession, but my memory holds almost every word of its portentous message; and again I affirm my confidence in the sanity of the man who wrote it."
• "The chaplain's first mention of the name Yossarian! had tolled deep in his memory like a portentous gong."

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