impend
UK: ɪmˈpɛnd | US: ɪmˈpɛnd
vi. to be about to happen (often something threatening or significant)
vi. to hang or loom over (literally or figuratively)
impend = im<upon> + pend<hang>
- im (prefix): from Latin in- meaning "upon" or "toward."
- pend (root): from Latin pendere meaning "to hang."
Etymology Origin:
The word "impend" originates from Latin impendēre, combining in- (upon) + pendēre (to hang). It originally described something physically looming overhead, like a suspended threat. Over time, it evolved to signify imminent events, especially those with a sense of danger or inevitability. The logic is vivid: just as an object hanging above could fall at any moment, an "impending" event feels ominously close.
Dark clouds impend over the valley, signaling a storm.
A sense of dread filled the room as the deadline impended.
The threat of layoffs has been impending for months.
Silence impended before the judge delivered the verdict.
Scholars argue that economic crises often impend unnoticed until too late.