English → Latin
“portent” in Latin
ostendōto expose to view, exhibit, show; to reveal, expose, make known; to explain, clarifyprōdigiumomen, portent, prophetic sign; prodigy, wonderportendōto indicate, point out; to predict, foretell, portendsignumvisible indication: sign, mark, signal; seal, signet; emblem, ensign
The English word portent itself goes back to Latin portendō, through portentum.
Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864
portent
ostentum: prodigium: portentum (astonishing appearance, foretelling what is about to happen): signum (any sign, σημεῖον): a frightful portent, objecta res terribilis. Sometimes species nova atque insolita. Vid: PRODIGY.
Quick answer
- What is the Latin word for portent?
- The usual Latin words for “portent” are ostendō, prōdigium, portendō; also signum. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.
Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.