haruspex

[ huh-ruhs-peks, har-uh-speks ]

noun

, plural ha·rus·pi·ces [h, uh, -, ruhs, -p, uh, -seez].

1. (in ancient Rome) one of a class of minor priests who practiced divination, especially from the entrails of animals killed in sacrifice.

haruspex

/ həˈrʌspɪkəl; həˈrʌspɛks; həˈrʌspɪsɪ /

noun

1. (in ancient Rome) a priest who practised divination, esp by examining the entrails of animals

Derived Forms

• haruspicy, noun
• haruspical, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of haruspex¹

First recorded in 1575–85; from Latin, equivalent to haru- (akin to hīra “intestine”; chord ¹ ) + spec- (stem of specere “to look at”) + -s nominative singular ending

Word History and Origins

Origin of haruspex¹

C16: from Latin, probably from hīra gut + specere to look

Example Sentences

Cato, the Censor, is on record as saying "that he wondered how one haruspex could look another in the face without laughing!"

From Project Gutenberg

"Hatred speaks in thee," said the haruspex, interrupting the indignant old man.

From Project Gutenberg

Thereupon, Roman haruspex looked into the eyes of Roman haruspex, and they both laughed.

From Project Gutenberg

The haruspex submitted, though deeply vexed, and asked whether the guilty boys were also to go unpunished.

From Project Gutenberg

No Etruscan haruspex or Roman augur could wish for clearer omens: it reads like a page of Livy.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• prognosticator
• seer
• witch