premonitory

Premonitory is an adjective describing something that serves as a warning or indication of something to come. It is used to refer to signs, feelings, or events that precede a larger occurrence, such as illness, danger, or an expected outcome. The term is used in medical, psychological, and literary contexts.

Originating from Latin prae- "before" and monitus "warned," the word entered English to denote forewarning or preliminary indications. In French, the cognate premonitoire has historically influenced English usage as well. The sense is typically adjectival or used in noun phrases such as "premonitory signs."

In medicine, premonitory signs or symptoms are early indicators that an episode or disease is approaching. They may precede headaches, seizures, or infectious illness and are often distinguished from the full prodrome or symptomatic phase. Common examples include mood changes, fatigue, yawning, or mild discomfort that heralds an attack in susceptible individuals.

In literature and culture, premonitory impressions are described as premonitions or forewarnings that foreshadow future events, contributing to suspense and thematic meaning. The term thus bridges medical language and imaginative usage, reflecting the broader human tendency to interpret subtle cues as warnings of what lies ahead.

See also: prodrome, premonition, forewarning.