15 uses
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Definition
a sign of something about to happen
- Telemachus took this speech as of good omen and rose at once, for he was bursting with what he had to say.Book 2 (8% in)
- I am no prophet, and know very little about omens, but I speak as it is borne in upon me from heaven, and assure you that he will not be away much longer; for he is a man of such resource that even though he were in chains of iron he would find some means of getting home again.Book 1 (45% in)
- The people wondered as they saw them, and asked each other what all this might be; whereon Halitherses, who was the best prophet and reader of omens among them, spoke to them plainly and in all honesty, saying: "Hear me, men of Ithaca, and I speak more particularly to the suitors, for I see mischief brewing for them.Book 2 (37% in)
- I can read these omens myself much better than you can; birds are always flying about in the sunshine somewhere or other, but they seldom mean anything.Book 2 (41% in)
- Ulysses has died in a far country, and it is a pity you are not dead along with him, instead of prating here about omens and adding fuel to the anger of Telemachus which is fierce enough as it is.Book 2 (42% in)
- When they saw it they were glad, and their hearts took comfort within them, whereon Pisistratus said, "Tell me, Menelaus, has heaven sent this omen for us or for you?"Book 15 (29% in)
- As soon as I saw it I knew it was an omen; it means that you will remain powerful and that there will be no house in Ithaca more royal than your own.Book 15 (95% in)
- I saw an omen when I was on the ship which meant this, and I told Telemachus about it.Book 17 (25% in)
- Ulysses hailed this as of good omen, and Antinous set a great goat's paunch before him filled with blood and fat.Book 18 (28% in)
- 'Be of good courage,' he said, 'daughter of Icarius; this is no dream, but a vision of good omen that shall surely come to pass.Book 19 (92% in)
- Furthermore I say—and lay my saying to your heart—the coming dawn will usher in the ill-omened day that is to sever me from the house of Ulysses, for I am about to hold a tournament of axes.Book 19 (96% in)
- Ulysses was glad when he heard the omens conveyed to him by the woman's speech, and by the thunder, for he knew they meant that he should avenge himself on the suitors.Book 20 (33% in)
- The suitors were dismayed, and turned colour as they heard it; at that moment, moreover, Jove thundered loudly as a sign, and the heart of Ulysses rejoiced as he heard the omen that the son of scheming Saturn had sent him.Book 21 (95% in)
- I have never slept so soundly from the day my poor husband went to that city with the ill-omened name.Book 23 (6% in)
- Poor fellow, yet the omens were good for him when he left me.Book 24 (57% in)
There are no more uses of "omen" in The Odyssey by Homer - (translated by: Butler).
Typical Usage
(best examples)