— portentously , adv. — portentousness , n.
/pawr ten"teuhs, pohr-/ , adj.
1. of the nature of a portent; momentous.
2. ominously significant or indicative: a portentous defeat.
3. marvelous; amazing; prodigious.
[ 1530-40; portentosus. See PORTENT, -OUS ]
Syn. 1, 2. See ominous. 2. unpropitious, inauspicious, threatening.