GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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1.       
   Portend , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Portended; p. pr. & vb. n. Portending.] [L. portendre, portentum, to foretell, to predict, to impend, from an old preposition used in comp. + tendere to stretch. See Position, Tend.]
   To indicate (events, misfortunes, etc.) as in future; to foreshow; to foretoken; to bode; -- now used esp. of unpropitious signs.
   Bacon.
   
   1913 Webster
   Many signs portended a dark and stormy day.
   Macaulay.
   
   1913 Webster
   To stretch out before. [R.] “Doomed to feel the great Idomeneus' portended steel.” 
   Pope.
   
   1913 Webster
   Syn. -- To foreshow; foretoken; betoken; forebode; augur; presage; foreshadow; threaten.
   1913 Webster