presage

1 of 2

noun

pres·​age ˈpre-sij 

also

pri-ˈsāj 

1

: something that foreshadows or portends a future event : omen

2

: an intuition or feeling of what is going to happen in the future

3

archaic : prognostication

4

: warning or indication of the future

presageful

pri-ˈsāj-fəl 

adjective

presage

2 of 2

verb

pre·​sage ˈpre-sij  pri-ˈsāj 

presaged; presaging

transitive verb

1

: to give an omen or warning of : foreshadow

2

: foretell, predict

intransitive verb

: to make or utter a prediction

presager noun obsolete

Did you know?

The verb presage was predated by a noun presage, meaning "omen." Both forms derive from the Latin prefix prae- combined with the adjective sagus, meaning "prophetic." Foretell, predict, forecast, prophesy, and presage all mean "to tell beforehand." Foretell applies to telling of a future event by any procedure or any source of information ("seers foretold the calamity"). Predict commonly implies inference from facts or accepted laws of nature ("astronomers predicted an eclipse"). Forecast implies anticipating eventualities and is usually concerned with probabilities ("the meteorologist forecasts snow"). Prophesy connotes inspired or mystic knowledge of the future ("the soothsayer prophesied a new messiah"). Presage may apply to suggesting a coming event or indicating its likelihood.

Synonyms

Noun

• foreboding
• premonition
• presentiment
• prognostication

Verb

• augur
• call
• forecast
• foretell
• predict
• prognosticate
• prophesy
• read
• vaticinate

Examples of presage in a Sentence

Noun

I had a nagging presage that the results of my medical tests would not be good.

the sight of the first robin is always a welcome presage of spring

Verb

Many investors are worried that the current slowdown could presage another recession.

events that presaged the civil rights movement

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The New Moon in Virgo, which occurs shortly after Mercury turns direct, presages really big beginnings throughout the zodiac. —Jennifer Culp, Them, 16 Aug. 2024

As the ending of the story perhaps presages, Martha is on the cusp of a change in her life. —Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, 28 July 2024

Verb

The work presaged her turn to machinic installations, which gradually took the place of body art. —News Desk, Artforum, 10 Sep. 2024

While The Sopranos perceptively presaged a bad end to the American Century, capturing an inchoate mood of decline more than two years before 9/11, The Penguin presents yet another unflattering portrait of a man whose archetype has haunted TV and film since his first presidential run. —Judy Berman, TIME, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Latin praesagium, from praesagus having a foreboding, from prae- + sagus prophetic — more at seek

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1562, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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Kids Definition

presage

1 of 2 noun

pres·​age ˈpres-ij 

1

: omen

2

: a warning or suggestion of future events

presage

2 of 2 verb

pre·​sage ˈpres-ij  pri-ˈsāj 

presaged; presaging

1

: to give a sign or warning of : portend

2

: foretell, predict