pro-, por-
(Greek > Latin: a prefix signifying before; forward, forth; for, in favor of; in front of; in place of, on behalf of; according to; as, to place before; to go before or forward, to throw forward)
portend, portends; portended; portending (verbs)
1. To be an omen or a warning that something is going to happen: "The thunder and lightening portended a storm was about to take place."
2. To be an indication of or to signify in advance: "The icy roads and winter snow storm were portending several auto accidents."
3. To indicate by prediction or forecast: "The economist on TV was saying that leading economic indicators were portending a recession."
4. Etymology: from early 15th century, from Latin portendere "to foretell"; originally, "to stretch forward"; from por-, a variant of pro-, "forth, forward" + tendere "to stretch, to extend".
2. To be an indication of or to signify in advance: "The icy roads and winter snow storm were portending several auto accidents."
3. To indicate by prediction or forecast: "The economist on TV was saying that leading economic indicators were portending a recession."
4. Etymology: from early 15th century, from Latin portendere "to foretell"; originally, "to stretch forward"; from por-, a variant of pro-, "forth, forward" + tendere "to stretch, to extend".
1. An omen that indicates that an event is about to occur; especially, an unfortunate event.
2. A sign or a warning that something which is usually bad or unpleasant is going to take place.
2. A sign or a warning that something which is usually bad or unpleasant is going to take place.
portentous, more portentous, most portentous (adjectives)
1. That which gives a sign or a warning that something which is usually undesirable or bad is going to happen rather soon: "She had a portentous dream that she was going to slip and fall down on an icy sidewalk and break her arm."
2. Arousing awe or amazement or trying to seem important, serious, or impressive: "The politician spoke in a portentous tone about the future of his country."
2. Arousing awe or amazement or trying to seem important, serious, or impressive: "The politician spoke in a portentous tone about the future of his country."
portentously (adverb)
A reference to statements or signs which are important because they show that something unpleasant is very likely to happen: "The economics minister talked portentously about the economic situation."
portentousness (s) (noun)
That which is ominously significant or indicative of something that is about to happen: "The injury to the star football quarterback was a portentousness for defeat."
pretend, portend, portent, potent
pretend (pri TEND)
1. To give a false impression; to make believe: "When we were children, my sisters and I used to dress up and pretend to be fairy princesses."
2. To make a false claim or assertion: "We will pretend we have tickets and hope to go to the parade."
2. To make a false claim or assertion: "We will pretend we have tickets and hope to go to the parade."
portend (por TEND, pohr TEND)
To give a sign in anticipation of something, an omen: "The dark clouds over the bay seem to portend a storm."
portent (POR tent", POHR tent")
That which foreshadows an event in a prophetic manner: "The arrival of the seagulls in the farmer's field often is the portent that it will rain in about two hours."
potent (POH n't")
1. Powerful; mighty: "The police proved to be a potent fighting force."
2. Producing powerful physical or chemical effects: "He used a potent drug to fight the cancer."
3. Having or exercising great power or influence: "The higher interest rate was a potent factor in the economy."
2. Producing powerful physical or chemical effects: "He used a potent drug to fight the cancer."
3. Having or exercising great power or influence: "The higher interest rate was a potent factor in the economy."
The potent status of the newly elected mayor is a portent that he will pretend to be a friend of the people; however, some of his statements portend hidden taxes and a cut in services for the future.
pro
1. A shortened term for professional.
2. Referring to or typical of an activity, especially a sport, from which someone is paid and so earns a living with his or her athletic skills.
3. An argument in favor of a proposal or a position.
4. A person or side in a debate, argument, or campaign that is in favor of a proposal or a proposition.
5. Used in some words to indicate that something is in front of another part of the body.
6. Being in favor of or preferring someone or something:such as, pro-life, pro-American, pro-European, etc.
7. A reference to something that happens before or precedes something; such as, progeria (the syndrome of premature aging).
2. Referring to or typical of an activity, especially a sport, from which someone is paid and so earns a living with his or her athletic skills.
3. An argument in favor of a proposal or a position.
4. A person or side in a debate, argument, or campaign that is in favor of a proposal or a proposition.
5. Used in some words to indicate that something is in front of another part of the body.
6. Being in favor of or preferring someone or something:such as, pro-life, pro-American, pro-European, etc.
7. A reference to something that happens before or precedes something; such as, progeria (the syndrome of premature aging).
Pro aris, Pro focis.
For the altar. For the hearth.
Also "For the altar (church or religion), For the hearth (home).
Pro bono humani generis.
For the good of humankind [mankind].
Motto of The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA.
pro bono publico
For the public good.
The full phrase for the expression of pro bono in English. There are some attorneys who devote a portion of their working time to legal cases in which they represent the poor or seek redress for public grievances, and a necessary condition of true pro bono work requires forgoing one's customary professional fees.
Pro Christo et humanitate.
For Christ and humanity.
Motto of Olivet College, Olivet, Michigan, USA.
Pro Christo et patria.
For Christ and country.
Motto of Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, USA.
Pro Christo et Republica.
For Christ and the Republic.
Motto of Birmingham-Southern College, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
Pro Deo et ecclesia.
For God and church.
Pro Deo et patria.
For God and country.
Motto of the University of Dayton School of Law, Dayton, Ohio, USA; as well as, Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa, USA.
