noun

presentiment

prih-ZENT-ih-munt/prɪˈzentɪmənt/

A feeling that something, often unpleasant, is about to happen.

An uneasy presentiment pauses the person just before the branch falls.

An unexplained uneasy pause immediately before a falling branch: a compact two-panel sequence makes the feeling-before-the-event visible without showing a warning hazard in advance.

Etymology

preLatinbefore

+sentiLatinto perceive, feel

+mentFrenchstate or result

“Feeling beforehand” is the central image: an event is sensed as approaching before it occurs. The word is used especially when that vague anticipation concerns misfortune, giving it the sense of foreboding.

In context

The 1928 Club262:45

I have a presentiment that he is bringing trouble and misery with him into the house.

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins | Part 1: The Loss of the Diamond | Full Audiobook

More examples

An uneasy presentiment keeps me awake before the flight.
His presentiment of disaster turns out to be unfounded.
I sometimes have presentiments that good news is coming.

Forms

presentiment · presentiments

Similar words

premonition: Often suggests a more specific warning about a future event.
foreboding: Specifically suggests dread that something bad will happen.
hunch: Can concern present facts rather than something about to happen.