Auspice
/ˈɔː.spɪs/noun
A favorable sign or indication; in modern use, support, sponsorship, or patronage.
Did you know?In ancient Rome, auspices were a formal religious practice: priests watched birds to decide whether the gods approved of an action, so the word literally grew out of state-sponsored divination.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂ewis-
“bird”
Latin
Latin
avis
“bird”
Latin
Latin
auspicium
“an observing of birds for omens; an omen derived from birds”
Late Latin
Latin
auspicium
“omen, patronage, sanction”
Middle English
English
auspice
“omen; favorable sign; protection or support”
Modern English
English
auspice
“a favorable sign or indication; sponsorship or patronage”
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