I. ˈhärbə̇njər, ˈhȧbə̇njə(r noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English herbergere, herbergeour, herbengar (also, one who provides lodging, host), from Old French herbergere, herbergeor one that makes camp, one that provides lodgings, host, from herberge army encampment, hostelry, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German heriberga army encampment, hostelry — more at harbor
1. : a person sent before to provide lodgings ; especially : an officer of the English royal household formerly sent ahead to prepare lodgings (as on a royal progress)
2.
a. archaic : a person sent before to announce the coming of someone : herald
be myself the harbinger and make joyful the hearing of my wife — Shakespeare
b. : one who pioneers in or initiates a major change (as in art, science, or doctrine) : precursor , forerunner , trailblazer , apostle
the harbingers of organized religion in Oregon were four … Indians — American Guide Series: Oregon
the great legal harbinger of the New Deal revolution — Time
the harbingers of peace to a hitherto distracted … people — David Livingstone
c. : something that presages or foreshadows what is to come : portent , omen , sign , indication , symbol
robins are revered … as harbingers of spring — E.A.Bauer
the sinister white owl … the harbinger of destruction — Alan Moorehead
a proper wife is the surest harbinger of success for the soldier — H.H.Arnold & I.C.Eaker
winter's sad harbingers, the yellow leaves — J.G.Frazer
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to be a harbinger of : presage