portent
/ˈpɔːtent/noun
1
- a sign or warning that something, especially something momentous or calamitous, is likely to happen（重大或灾难事件可能发生的）迹象, 征兆：
many birds are regarded as being portents of death.
许多鸟被认为是死亡的征兆。
1.1
- mass noun future significance未来意义：
an omen of grave portent for the tribe.
对该部落有重大未来意义的征兆。
2
- archaic an exceptional or wonderful person or thing〈古〉奇才; 奇事, 奇观：
what portent can be greater than a pious notary?
有什么奇才能够比一个虔诚的公证人更伟大的呢？
词源
late 16th cent.: from Latin portentum 'omen, token', from the verb portendere （see PORTEND）.