noun

harbinger

harbinger, forerunner, precursor, omen

The robin is a harbinger of spring.

The robin is a harbinger of spring.

a harbinger of ((sth.)) something that signals the approach of another The robin is a harbinger of spring.

Synonyms: omen, precursor, forerunner, sign

From Old French 'herbergier' (to provide lodging), originally a person sent ahead to arrange lodging. The sense of 'forerunner' developed from this.

Think of it 'bringing' a message before something happens. A 'har-bringer' brings something.

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