portendv. t.[L. portendre, portentum, to foretell, to predict, to impend, from an old preposition used in comp. + tendere to stretch. See Position, Tend.]1. To indicate (events, misfortunes, etc.) as in future; to foreshow; to foretoken; to bode; -- now used esp. of unpropitious signs.(Bacon.)Many signs portended a dark and stormy day. (Macaulay.)2. To stretch out before.(Pope.)()