presage

[ noun pres-ij; verb pres-ij, pri-seyj ]

noun

1. a presentiment or foreboding.

   Synonyms: premonition, indication

2. something that portends or foreshadows a future event; an omen, prognostic, or warning indication.

   Synonyms: token, sign, portent

3. prophetic significance; augury.
4. foresight; prescience.
5. Archaic. a forecast or prediction.

verb (used with object)

, pres·aged, pres·ag·ing.

1. to have a presentiment of.
2. to portend, foreshow, or foreshadow:

   The incidents may presage war.

3. to forecast; predict.

verb (used without object)

, pres·aged, pres·ag·ing.

1. to make a prediction.
2. Archaic. to have a presentiment.

presage

noun

1. an intimation or warning of something about to happen; portent; omen
2. a sense of what is about to happen; foreboding
3. archaic.
   a forecast or prediction

verb

1. tr to have a presentiment of
2. tr to give a forewarning of; portend
3. intr to make a prediction

Derived Forms

• preˈsageful, adjective
• preˈsagefully, adverb
• preˈsager, noun

Other Words From

• presage·ful adjective
• presage·ful·ly adverb
• presag·er noun
• un·presaged adjective
• un·presag·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of presage¹

1350–1400; Middle English (noun) < Middle French presage < Latin praesāgium presentiment, forewarning, equivalent to praesāg ( us ) having a foreboding ( prae- pre- + sāgus prophetic; sagacious ) + -ium -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of presage¹

C14: from Latin praesāgium presentiment, from praesāgīre to perceive beforehand, from sāgīre to perceive acutely

Example Sentences

But Cowell’s initial concern over Payne’s prospects as a solo artist presaged a challenge for the young star as he sought to fashion a musical identity separate from his One Direction mega-fame.

From Los Angeles Times

But Trump’s departure from presidential politics would presage the end of the Republican identity crisis, not the beginning.

From Los Angeles Times

It both presages the movie’s musical bent and works as a metaphor for the unconscious and often unacceptable parts of ourselves.

From Los Angeles Times

But some familiar with the company think the headquarters relocation announcement could presage a larger presence in Texas.

From Los Angeles Times

They worry that its spread in cattle, which it has never before been known to infect, could presage a jump to people.

From Science Magazine