Sunday Word: Portentous

[sallymn.livejournal.com]

portentous [pawr-ten-tuh s]
adjective:
1. Of the nature of or constituting a portent; foreboding
2. Full of unspecifiable significance; exciting wonder and awe
2. Done in a pompously or overly solemn manner so as to impress

Examples:

The portentous tone is exacerbated by Will Epstein's soundscore: an assemblage of surf and ambient noise that could easily be sold as a sleep aid. (Brian Seibert, New York Times, Review: At Met Breuer, Dancers Try to Be Like Life, Too)

"Such a portentous and mysterious monster roused all my curiosity" (Herman Melville, Moby Dick

Naming him was a portentous proceeding and one not to be lightly gone about. (Joseph C Lincoln, The Depot Master)

MasterChef's use of deeply portentous music in the background only adds to this. (The Sun, 2014)

Origin:

From the Latin word portentōsus, dating back to 1530–40. (Dictionary.com)

Comments

[spikesgirl58.livejournal.com]

I was familiar with the *Done in a pompously or overly solemn manner so as to impress* definition of this, but not the other. Thanks! I think I need to use this more.

[sallymn.livejournal.com]

It's one I probably use more than I realise... very useful :)

[med_cat]

Another excellent word :)