Presage, n.
Etymology: [F. présage, L. praesagium, from praesagire. See Presage, v. t. ]
1. Something which foreshows or portends a future event; a prognostic; an omen; an augury. "Joy and shout -- presage of victory." Milton.
2. Power to look the future, or the exercise of that power; foreknowledge; presentiment. If there be aught of presage in the mind. Milton.
Syn. -- Prognostic; omen; token; sign; presentiment.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Presage v. t. [imp. & p. p. Presaged (-sajd); p. pr. & vb. n. Presaging. ]
1. To have a presentiment of; to feel beforehand; to foreknow.
2. To foretell; to predict; to foreshow; to indicate. My dreams presage some joyful news at hand. Shak.
Presage, v. i.
To form or utter a prediction; -- sometimes used with of. Dryden.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for presage; he lists it under augur, sign.
Where he writes about it:
"Persons or things augur; persons only forebode or presage; things only betoken or portend." CRABB English Synonymes. — from augur
We augur well for a voyage from past good fortune and a good start; we presage success from the stanchness of the ship and the skill of the captain. — from augur