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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

aus·pice

Audio Help [aw-spis] Pronunciation Key

–noun, plural aus·pic·es

Audio Help [aw-spuh-siz] Pronunciation Key.

1.	Usually, auspices. patronage; support; sponsorship: under the auspices of the Department of Education.

2.	Often, auspices. a favorable sign or propitious circumstance.

3.	a divination or prognostication, originally from observing birds.

[Origin: 1525–35; < F < L auspicium a bird-watching, divination from flight of birds, equiv. to auspic- (s. of auspex) + -ium -ium

]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Auspice

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

aus·pice Audio Help (ô'spĭs) Pronunciation Key
n. pl. aus·pi·ces (ô'spĭ-sĭz, -sēz')

also auspices Protection or support; patronage.
A sign indicative of future prospects; an omen: Auspices for the venture seemed favorable.
Observation of and divination from the actions of birds.

[Latin auspicium, bird divination, auspices, from auspex, auspic-, bird augur; see awi- in Indo-European roots.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

auspice
noun
a favorable omen

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Auspice

Aus"pice\, n.; pl. Auspices. [L. auspicium, fr. auspex: cf. F. auspice. See Auspicate, a.]

1. A divining or taking of omens by observing birds; an omen as to an undertaking, drawn from birds; an augury; an omen or sign in general; an indication as to the future.

2. Protection; patronage and care; guidance.

Which by his auspice they will nobler make. --Dryden.

Note: In this sense the word is generally plural, auspices; as, under the auspices of the king.

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