different between clue vs portent

English

Etymology

Variant of clew (“a ball of thread or yarn”), from Middle English clewe, from Old English cl?ewen (“ball”), from Proto-Germanic *kliuw?n?, *klewô (“ball, bale”), from Proto-Indo-European *glew- (“to amass, conglomerate; clump, ball, bale”). Sense evolution with reference to the one which the mythical Theseus used to guide him out of the Minotaur's labyrinth. More at clew.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /klu?/
• (obsolete) IPA^(key): /klju?/
• Rhymes: -u?
• Homophone: clew

Noun

clue (plural clues)

1. (now rare) A strand of yarn etc. as used to guide one through a labyrinth; something which points the way, a guide.
2. Information which may lead one to a certain point or conclusion.

3. An object or a kind of indication which may be used as evidence.

4. Insight or understanding ("to have a clue [about]" or "to have clue". See have a clue, clue stick)

Synonyms

• (information which may lead one to a certain point or conclusion): hint, indication, suggestion
• (object or indication which may be used as evidence): signature
• (understanding): idea

Derived terms

Translations

See also

• evidence
• red herring

Verb

clue (third-person singular simple present clues, present participle cluing or clueing, simple past and past participle clued)

1. To provide with a clue.

2. To provide someone with information which he or she lacks (often used with "in" or "up").

Derived terms

• clue in
• clued up

Translations

References

Anagrams

• Luce, leuc-, luce

Latin

Verb

clu?

1. second-person singular present active imperative of clue?

Middle English

Noun

clue

1. Alternative form of clewe

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin portentum, participle of portendere, from portend? (“I predict, I foretell”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?p??t?nt/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?p??t?nt/
• (rhotic, without the horse–hoarse merger) IPA^(key): /?po(?)?t?nt/
• (non-rhotic, without the horse–hoarse merger) IPA^(key): /?po?t?nt/

Noun

portent (plural portents)

1. Something that portends an event about to occur, especially an unfortunate or evil event; an omen.
2. A portending; significance

3. Something regarded as portentous; a marvel; prodigy.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:omen

Related terms

• portend
• portentous

Translations

References

Anagrams

• torpent

French

Pronunciation

Verb

portent

1. third-person plural present indicative of porter
2. third-person plural present subjunctive of porter

Latin

Verb

portent

1. third-person plural present active subjunctive of port?