Word for the Day

por·tent [pawr-tent, pohr-] 

noun

1.an indication or omen of something about to happen, especially something momentous.

2.threatening or disquieting significance: an occurrence of dire portent.

3. a prodigy or marvel

Origin:
1555–65;  < Latin portentum  sign, token, noun use of neuter of portentus,  past participle of portendere  to portend

Synonyms
1.  augury, warning 2.  import.
 
Source:
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.