v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Portended; p. pr. & vb. n. Portending. ] [ L. portendre, portentum, to foretell, to predict, to impend, from an old preposition used in comp. + tendere to stretch. See Position, Tend. ] 1. To indicate (events, misfortunes, etc.) as in future; to foreshow; to foretoken; to bode; -- now used esp. of unpropitious signs. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Many signs portended a dark and stormy day. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To stretch out before. [ R. ] “Doomed to feel the great Idomeneus' portended steel.” Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To foreshow; foretoken; betoken; forebode; augur; presage; foreshadow; threaten. [ 1913 Webster ]