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Simple English definitions for legal terms
harbinger
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A quick definition of harbinger:
A harbinger is a person or thing that tells us what is going to happen in the future. In the past, in England, a harbinger was a special officer who made sure that the king's soldiers or traveling group had a place to stay. Nowadays, we use the word to describe something that gives us a warning or a sign of what's to come, whether it's good or bad news.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: A harbinger is a person or thing that predicts or foreshadows what is to come.
For example, a sudden drop in the stock market can be a harbinger of an economic recession. Similarly, a dark cloud in the sky can be a harbinger of an impending storm.
The term "harbinger" can also refer to a historical role in England. A harbinger was a royal officer who went ahead of a traveling royal entourage to secure lodging for troops or the entourage.
The examples illustrate how a harbinger can be a warning or indication of something to come. Just as a harbinger in the sky or stock market can predict future events, the historical role of a harbinger in England was responsible for preparing for the arrival of a royal entourage.