/hahr"bin jeuhr/ , n.
1. a person who goes ahead and makes known the approach of another; herald.
2. anything that foreshadows a future event; omen; sign: Frost is a harbinger of winter.
3. a person sent in advance of troops, a royal train, etc., to provide or secure lodgings and other accommodations.
v.t.
4. to act as harbinger to; herald the coming of.
[ 1125-75; late ME herbenger, nasalized var. of ME herbegere, dissimilated var. of OF herberg ( i ) ere host, equiv. to herberg ( ier ) to shelter ( -iere -ER 2 ]
Syn. 2. herald, forerunner, precursor, portent, indication.