† porˈtentive, a. Obs. rare.
[f. L. portent-, ppl. stem of portendĕre to portend + -ive.]
Having the quality of portending; = portentous 1.
| 1594 Nashe Terrors Night Wks. (Grosart) III. 245 Commonly that [dream] which is portentiue in a King is but a friuolous fancie in a beggar. 1659 Fuller App. Inj. Innoc. i. 51* The Portentive Idolls of their Country. 1773 J. Ross Fratricide iv. 9 (MS.) The Heavens Portentive roll'd their thunders o'er his head. |