portend
UK/pɒ:'tend/US
TOEFLGREC2
Definitions
v.
To be a sign or warning that something (usually bad) is about to happen
预示，预兆（常指不祥之事）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedpor- (a form of pro-, "forward") + tend (stretch) = "to stretch forward." An omen portends disaster by stretching a warning out ahead of the event — it reaches forward in time to signal what's coming. Almost always used of bad or ominous signs.
Root tend still carries 40 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.portend disaster预示灾难
- 2.portend trouble预示麻烦
- 3.portend change预示变化
- 4.seem to portend似乎预示着
Example Sentences
- 1.
The dark clouds seemed to portend a violent storm.
- 2.
Falling sales may portend deeper trouble for the company.