augury

[ aw-gyuh-ree ]

noun

, plural au·gu·ries.

1. the art or practice of an augur; divination.
2. the rite or ceremony of an augur.
3. an omen, token, or indication.

augury

/ ˈɔːɡjʊrɪ /

noun

1. the art of or a rite conducted by an augur
2. a sign or portent; omen

Other Words From

• augu·ral adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of augury¹

1325–75; Middle English < Latin augurium soothsaying, equivalent to augur augur ¹ + -ium -ium

Example Sentences

When he ended Vieux Carré with the stage direction, “The house is empty now,” Lahr somberly terms it “an augury and an epitaph.”

From The Daily Beast

But Andrea spills salt upon the table, which evil augury seems to be taken seriously.

From Project Gutenberg

Hope was the first horse Napoleon rode on the island, and it pleased him to think that this name was an augury.

From Project Gutenberg

No other mode of augury is received with such implicit faith by the people, the nobility, and the priesthood.

From Project Gutenberg

Above all, there were expressions in his letters that seemed of sad augury.

From Project Gutenberg

They knew not that it was an augury of the fateful tragedy at the gates of Spain.

From Project Gutenberg