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Harbinger vs Signify - What's the difference?

harbinger | signify | Related terms |

Harbinger is a related term of signify.


As verbs the difference between harbinger and signify

is that harbinger is to announce; to be a harbinger of while signify is to give (something) a meaning or an importance.

As a noun harbinger

is a person or thing that foreshadows or foretells the coming of someone or something.

harbinger

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A person or thing that foreshadows or foretells the coming of someone or something.
  • * Landor
    • I knew by these harbingers who were coming.
  • (obsolete) One who provides lodgings; especially, the officer of the English royal household who formerly preceded the court when travelling, to provide and prepare lodgings.
    • (Fuller)

    Synonyms

    * forewarning, herald, omen, premonition, sign, signal, prophet

    External links

    *

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To announce; to be a harbinger of.

    • Synonyms

    * herald

    References

    *

    See also

    *bellwether

    signify

    English

    Verb

    (en-verb)
  • To give (something) a meaning or an importance.
  • To show one’s intentions with a sign etc.
  • * (rfdate) (William Shakespeare)
    • I'll to the king; and signify to him / That thus I have resign'd my charge to you.
  • * (rfdate) (Jonathan Swift)
    • The government should signify to the Protestants of Ireland that want of silver is not to be remedied.
  • To mean; to betoken.
  • * (rfdate) (William Shakespeare)
    • A tale / Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, / Signifying nothing.

    Synonyms

    * (l) * (l)