1. A religious official of ancient Rome; especially, one who interpreted omens based on the observation of birds to guide public policy: "A Roman leader was usually accompanied by an auspex whose presence was supposed to determine if certain actions would bring good fortune or result in misfortune."
2. Etymology: from Latin avis, "bird" + specere, "to look, to see."

1. Protection or support; patronage: "A benefit concert was given under the auspices of the hospital."
2. A sign indicative of future prospects; a favorable sign or propitious circumstance; an omen: "The auspices for the new venture by the company appeared to be favorable."
3. Etymology: from Latin auspicium, "divination by observing the flight of birds"; from auspex, auspicis, literally, "bird seer"; from avis, "bird", and the stem of specere, spicere, "to see, to look at, to watch".

Observations of and predictions that in the past were based on the actions or behaviors of birds.