English Explanatory Dictionary

writing on the wall

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An ominous warning; a prediction of bad luck.

Pronunciation

/ˈɹaɪtɪŋ ɒn ðə ˈwɔːl/ /ˈɹaɪtɪŋ ɑn ðə ˈwɔl/ [ˈɹaɪ̯ɾɪŋ] en-au-writing on the wall.ogg

Word forms

writing on the wall writings on the wall writings on walls handwriting on the wall

Etymology

From the Biblical story in Daniel 5, where, during a feast held by King Belshazzar, a hand suddenly appears and writes on a wall the following Aramaic words: מְנֵא מְנֵא תְּקֵל וּפַרְסִין (mənē mənē təqēl ūp̄arsīn, “numbered, numbered, weighed, and they are divided”) (Daniel 5:25). Daniel interprets the words as pointing to the downfall of the Babylonian Empire.

Related words

the writing is on the wall
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