menetekel
/ˌmɛneɪˈtɛkl/ /ˌmiːniˈtɛkl/(also mene tekel) Now rare
noun
A sign or warning of impending disaster, an obscure omen.
Origin
Mid 17th century; earliest use found in John Cleveland (bap. 1613, d. 1658), poet. Shortened from mene mene tekel upharsin.