online medical dictionary | definition of ominous

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"inously, Om"inousness.

Origin: L. Ominosus, fr. Omen. See Omen.

(01 Mar 1998)