English Explanatory Dictionary

auspicate

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To foreshow; to foretoken.
  2. To give a favorable turn to in commencing; to inaugurate; -- a sense derived from the Roman practice of taking the auspicium, or inspection of birds, before undertaking any important business.
adj
  1. Auspicious.

Word forms

auspicate auspicates auspicating auspicated more auspicate most auspicate

Etymology

From Latin auspicatus, past participle of auspicari "to take auspices", from auspex "bird seer", "augur", a contraction of avispex; avis "bird" + specere, spicere, "to view".

Derived words

inauspicate
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