auspex

[ aw-speks ]
/ ˈɔ spɛks /

noun, plural aus·pi·ces [aw-spuh-seez] /ˈɔ spəˌsiz/.

an augur of ancient Rome.

Origin of auspex

1590–1600; < Latin: one who observes birds, soothsayer, diviner, equivalent to au-, base of avis bird + -spex watcher ( spec-, stem of specere to look at) + -s nominative singular suffix

Definition for auspices (2 of 2)

auspice
[ aw-spis ]
/ ˈɔ spɪs /

noun, plural aus·pic·es [aw-spuh-siz] /ˈɔ spə sɪz/.

Usually auspices. patronage; support; sponsorship: under the auspices of the Department of Education.
Often auspices. a favorable sign or propitious circumstance.
a divination or prognostication, originally from observing birds.

Origin of auspice

1525–35; < French < Latin auspicium a bird-watching, divination from flight of birds, equivalent to auspic- (stem of auspex) + -ium -ium

Example sentences from the Web for auspices

British Dictionary definitions for auspices (1 of 2)

auspex
/ (ˈɔːspɛks) /

noun plural auspices (ˈɔːspɪˌsiːz)

Roman history another word for augur (def. 1)

Word Origin for auspex

C16: from Latin: observer of birds, from avis bird + specere to look

British Dictionary definitions for auspices (2 of 2)

auspice
/ (ˈɔːspɪs) /

noun plural -pices (-pɪsɪz)

(usually plural) patronage or guidance (esp in the phrase under the auspices of)
(often plural) a sign or omen, esp one that is favourable

Word Origin for auspice

C16: from Latin auspicium augury from birds; see auspex