auspice
Americannoun
plural
auspices-
Usually auspices patronage; support; sponsorship.
under the auspices of the Department of Education.
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Often auspices a favorable sign or propitious circumstance.
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a divination or prognostication, originally from observing birds.
noun
-
(usually plural) patronage or guidance (esp in the phrase under the auspices of )
-
(often plural) a sign or omen, esp one that is favourable
Etymology
Origin of auspice
First recorded in 1525–35; from French, from Latin auspicium “a bird-watching, divination from flight of birds,” equivalent to auspic- (stem of auspex ) + -ium -ium
Explanation
An auspice is a little glimpse of the future, like a sign or omen. If a ladybug lands on your arm, you may see it as an auspice of good luck. The 16th-century definition of auspice was "observation of birds for the purpose of taking omens," from a Latin root with the same meaning. If you see a single crow as an auspice of good fortune, you are literally taking omens from birds! In its plural form, auspices are a kind of guidance or assistance: "She's teaching accordion in my school under the auspices of a state fund for music education."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Tim Pickering, chief investment officer at Auspice Capital, a Canadian computer-driven commodities-focused fund, reduced equity exposure on Friday.
From Reuters • Nov. 30, 2021
“We’re a long way away from making any significant change,” said Tim Pickering, president of Auspice Capital Advisors Ltd., which manages $300 million and is holding bearish positions on gas.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 21, 2015
As he lays claim to the crown, Mr. Parasiliti says he wants to dial down pomp and focus on the kingdom’s human rights arm, Auspice Stella, which raises awareness about Indian land and legal conflicts.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 8, 2015
Upon one side was represented the infant state of Alexandria and its commodious harbour, with these words in the legend, 'Alexandria Translate et Renate Auspice Deo,' and in the exerque, 'Condita Rego Geo.
From Seaport in Virginia George Washington's Alexandria by Moore, Gay Montague
Auspice, aw′spis, n. an omen drawn from observing birds: augury—generally used in pl.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
