Both Uses of
portentous
in
The House of the Seven Gables
- Without giving herself time for a second thought, she rushed into the shop, pale, wild, desperate in gesture and expression, scowling portentously, and looking far better qualified to do fierce battle with a housebreaker than to stand smiling behind the counter, bartering small wares for a copper recompense.†
Chpt 3 *
- He caught the color of what was passing about him, and threw it back more vividly than he received it, but mixed, nevertheless, with a lurid and portentous hue.†
Chpt 17
Definition:
very important; or indicating something important in the future -- often something that is threatening
or:
acting overly important or serious
or:
acting overly important or serious