Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Giving premonition; serving to warn or notify beforehand.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Giving previous warning or notice.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Serving as a warning.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective warning of future misfortune

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Scientists have long known about this so-called premonitory phase, which occurs well before the better-known aura, the flashing lights and wavy lines that about 30% of migraine sufferers see shortly before the headache begins.

    Beware, a Big Headache Is Coming Melinda Beck 2011

  • Scientists have long known about this so-called premonitory phase, which occurs well before the better-known aura, the flashing lights and wavy lines that about 30% of migraine sufferers see shortly before the headache begins.

    Beware, a Big Headache Is Coming Melinda Beck 2011

  • In the early stage, that which might be called premonitory, while the patient is yet able to be about his business, but is complaining of the symptoms above named, he should, as far as possible, abstain from exercise and food, and take of _Baptisia_ and _Phosphorus_ alternately,

    An Epitome of the Homeopathic Healing Art Containing the New Discoveries and Improvements to the Present Time

  • -- Heaven grant that little snort be not what the medical people call a premonitory symptom -- if so, he'll be in upon me now in no time.

    The Confessions of Harry Lorrequer — Complete Charles James Lever 1839

  • -- Heaven grant that little snort be not what the medical people call a premonitory symptom -- if so, he'll be in upon me now in no time.

    The Confessions of Harry Lorrequer — Volume 2 Charles James Lever 1839

  • The first phase of a migraine is called the premonitory period or prodrome.

    Brain Blogger MS Shaheen E Lakhan 2009

  • The first phase of a migraine is called the premonitory period or prodrome.

    Brain Blogger 2009

  • There is a kind of premonitory apology implied in my saying this, I am aware.

    Stories by American Authors, Volume 1 Various

  • There is a kind of premonitory apology implied in my saying this, I am aware.

    Short Story Classics (American) Vol. 2 Various 1902

  • Young Americans came to view religion, according to one survey, as judgmental, homophobic, hypocritical, and too political.49 All these were premonitory signs that a second major aftershock was about to roil the American religious landscape.

    American Grace Robert D. Putnam 2010

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