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.

He had a good ominous name to have made a peace. Bacon.

In the heathen worship of God, a sacrifice without a heart was accounted ominous. South.

-- Om"i*nous*ly, adv. -- Om"i*nous*ness, n.

 

© Webster 1913.

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