auspic-, auspec-

An unlucky beginning of something: Jack and Jill experienced an exauspication when their newly opened bistro did not do well resulting in debts.

Ill-omened, inauspicious: Their camping trip turned out to be inauspicate because of the extremely bad weather with rain, strong winds, and cold temperatures.

Suggesting that the future is not very promising or that success is unlikely; contrary to one's interests or welfare; not favorable; boding ill; ill-omened; not auspicious: The party the children were preparing seemed to be inauspicious and not conducive to success because it started to rain heavily during the afternoon. ;.

Bird Poops On President Bush During Rose Garden Press Conference

Was this an Example of an Inauspicious Moment?

An outdoor news conference in perfect spring weather, with birds chirping loudly in the magnolia trees, is not without its hazards.

As President Bush took a question Thursday (May 24, 2007) in the White House Rose Garden about scandals involving his Attorney General, he remarked, "I've got confidence in Al Gonzales doin' the job."

Simultaneously, a sparrow flew overhead and left a splash on the President's left sleeve, which Bush tried several times to wipe off.

Deputy White House Press Secretary promptly put the incident through the proper spin cycle, telling ABC News, "It was his lucky day... everyone knows that's a sign of good luck."

Obviously, the Press Secretary did not recognize the inauspiciousness of the moment!

Statements from blog writers

Since when is it good luck to have a bird fly over and take a crap on you? These people will lie about anything. Watching Bozo trying to wipe it off with his bare hand made me sick! Yuck!

I guess they'll have to set up a "bird-free zone" in the future to protect the President from signs and portents in such form.

Do we remember the space shuttle that disintegrated over Texas before the Iraqi war started? Believe in signs anyone?

Referring to how something happens in an unlucky way; unfavourably: The student's recital began quite inauspiciously when the key to unlock the piano was evidently misplaced and couldn't be found for 15 minutes!

The condition of being inauspicious; unluckiness: Although Lynn studied so hard, she seemingly suffered from inauspiciousness because she was just able to pass the German tests, but nothing better than a "D".

Unfavorable, unsuccessful: Steve's unauspicious hopes indicated his pessimism about the undertaking.

Inauspicious is the preferred spelling.

Unfortunately, unfavorably: After losing so much money, Roger decided that his success as a gambler had been unauspiciously determined.

Inauspiciously is the preferred spelling.