auspic-, auspec- +

(Latin: to look, to observe in order to make a prediction; to see omens; from auspex [genitive form auspicis] avi-, stem of avis, "bird" plus -spex, "observer", from specere)


auspex
1. An augur of ancient Rome, especially one who interpreted omens derived from the observation of birds.
2. In ancient Rome, a religious official who interpreted omens to guide public policy.
auspicate, auspicating
1. To begin or to inaugurate with a ceremony intended to bring good luck.
2. To give a favorable turn to in commencing something; to inaugurate; a sense derived from the Roman practice of taking the auspicium, or inspection of birds, before undertaking any important business or function; such as, "They auspicate all their public proceedings."
auspicately
In accordance with omens.
auspication
The taking of auspices, the process of getting favourable omens.
auspicator
Someone who takes auspices, an augur.
auspicatory
Of or pertaining to auspication.
auspice
A favorable omen.
auspices
1. Protection or support; patronage.
2. A sign indicative of future prospects; a favorable sign or propitious circumstance; an omen: "The auspices for the new venture appeared to be favorable."
3. Observation of and divination from the actions of birds.
4. Divination or prognostication, originally from observing the behavior of birds.
auspicial
Of or pertaining to auspices; auspicious.
auspiciate
A variant of auspicate.
auspicies
Plural form of auspex.
auspicinator
Auspicator, auspex.
auspicious
1. Marked by lucky signs or good omens, and therefore by the promise of success, prosperity, or happiness.
2. Attended by favorable circumstances; propitious: "It seemed to be an auspicious time to ask for a raise in salary."
3. Promising success; propitious; opportune; favorable: "It was an auspicious occasion."
4. Favored by fortune; prosperous; fortunate.
An auspicious flight of birds.
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Favorable omens came to be known as auspicious while unfavorable signs were considered inauspicious.

In Roman times, an augur was someone who foretold the future by observing the flight of birds (or by examining their entrails). Auspicium is divination (fortune telling) by observing the flights of birds and came from auspex, "someone who takes signs from the flight of birds".

A Latin derivative was the verb inaugurare "to foretell the future from the flight of birds", which was applied to the installation of someone in office after the appropriate omens had been determined; by the time it reached English as inaugurate, the association with the divination with birds had been forgotten.

An ancient Roman priest, or auspex, was appointed to foretell or divine the future outcome of an important event by observing the flights of birds, listening to their songs, observing the food they ate and by examining their internal organs.

Favorable omens came to be known as "auspicious" while unfavorable signs were considered to be "inauspicious".

Later the Roman auspex was replaced with the augur as the interpreter-observer of bird signs; his name being derived from the Latin avis, "bird", and garrire, "to talk" or "to tell". His interpretation, or augurism, became the English word augury, "an omen", and the Latin inaugurare, "to install an official after consulting the birds", became the word we use to install politicians in office with the hope that their "inaugurations" will prove to be auspicious for those who must endure their political machinations (plots and intrigues).


—Partly based on information from the Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins,
Revised and Expanded Edition
by Robert Hendrickson
(New York: Facts On File, Inc., 1997).

auspiciously
In an auspicious manner; with favorable omen, prospect, or result; fortunately, happily.
auspiciousness
The quality of being auspicious; or a favorable prospect for the future, a promise of success.

Cross references of word families that are related directly, or indirectly, to: "divination, diviner; seer, soothsayer, prophecy, prophesy, prophet": augur-; fa-, fate; Fates in action; futur-; -mancy; omen; -phemia; sorc-, sorcery; vati-.

A cross reference of other word family units that are related directly, or indirectly, to: "chance, luck, fate": aleato-; cad-; fortu-; -mancy; serendipity; sorc-; temer-; tycho-.


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