presage
/pɹɪˈseɪdʒ/
Group 34Difficulty 2/3
Definitions
- (verb)
- To be a sign or warning that something, typically something bad, will happen GRE
- (noun)
- A sign or warning GRE
Example in Context
The sudden departure of several senior officials presaged the wider leadership upheaval that would unfold over the following months.
Etymology
To perceive something before it happens, like a forewarning.
- prae- (Latin) — before
- sagire (Latin) — to perceive
Memory Aid
⏳Sounds like “press age”
When I PRESS AHEAD into the future, I can almost PRESAGE the chaos coming my way!
Visual Association
⚠️A storm cloud above a picnic, hinting at the bad weather about to ruin the fun.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “presage” mean on the GRE?
presage (verb) means “To be a sign or warning that something, typically something bad, will happen”. The sudden departure of several senior officials presaged the wider leadership upheaval that would unfold over the following months.
How to remember “presage” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “presage” sounds like “press age”. When I PRESS AHEAD into the future, I can almost PRESAGE the chaos coming my way!