impend

[ im-pend ]
/ ɪmˈpɛnd /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR impend ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object)

to be imminent; be about to happen.
to threaten or menace: He felt that danger impended.
Archaic. to hang or be suspended; overhang (usually followed by over).

Origin of impend

First recorded in 1580–90, impend is from the Latin word impendēre to hang over, threaten. See im-1, pend

OTHER WORDS FROM impend

su·per·im·pend, verb (used without object)

Words nearby impend

impedimenta, impedor, impel, impellent, impeller, impend, impendent, impending, impenetrability, impenetrable, impenitent

Words related to impend

advance, lower, loom, frighten, jeopardize, foreshadow, portend, warn, forebode, imperil, presage, brew, menace, approach, overhang, brewing

Example sentences from the Web for impend

British Dictionary definitions for impend

impend
/ (ɪmˈpɛnd) /

verb (intr)

(esp of something threatening) to be about to happen; be imminent
(foll by over) rare to be suspended; hang

Derived forms of impend

impendence or impendency, noun

Word Origin for impend

C16: from Latin impendēre to overhang, from pendēre to hang