ominousness

1 definition found

ominousness - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Ominous \Om"i*nous\, a. [L. ominosus, fr. omen. See Omen.]
     Of or pertaining to an omen or to omens; being or exhibiting
     an omen; significant; portentous; -- formerly used both in a
     favorable and unfavorable sense; now chiefly in the latter;
     foreboding or foreshowing evil; inauspicious; as, an ominous
     dread.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           He had a good ominous name to have made a peace.
                                                    --Bacon.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           In the heathen worship of God, a sacrifice without a
           heart was accounted ominous.             --South.
     [1913 Webster] -- Om"i*nous*ly, adv. -- Om"i*nous*ness,
     n.
     [1913 Webster]