All 4 Uses of
portentous
in
Nicholas Nickleby
- On tiptoe it was destined to remain, however, until afternoon; when Squeers, having refreshed himself with his dinner, and further strengthened himself by an extra libation or so, made his appearance (accompanied by his amiable partner) with a countenance of portentous import, and a fearful instrument of flagellation, strong, supple, wax-ended, and new,—in short, purchased that morning, expressly for the occasion.†
Chpt 13
- It was, indeed, the collector of water-rates who, regarding Nicholas with a fixed look and immovable countenance, shook hands with most portentous solemnity, and sat himself down in a seat by the chimney-corner.†
Chpt 25
- 'I made mention of no names, and I wish to make mention of no names,' said Mr Kenwigs, with a portentous look.†
Chpt 36 *
- If ever a collector had borne himself like a collector, and assumed, before all men, a solemn and portentous dignity as if he had the world on his books and it was all two quarters in arrear, that collector was Mr Lillyvick.†
Chpt 52
Definition:
-
(portentous) very important; or indicating something important in the future
or:
acting overly important or serious