auspice

[aw-spis]

noun

plural

auspices 

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.

auspice

/ ˈɔːspɪs /

noun

1. (usually plural) patronage or guidance (esp in the phrase under the auspices of )

2. (often plural) a sign or omen, esp one that is favourable

Word History and Origins

Origin of auspice¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of auspice¹

C16: from Latin auspicium augury from birds; see _auspex

Example Sentences

Chinese research vessels have been accused of carrying out surveillance and other military activities under the auspices of scientific work.

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It added that by not publishing the final report under the university's auspices it hoped "we can minimise the possibility of any further scrutiny of our operations .. thereby attending to related duty of care issues".

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Under the auspices of Saint Heron — the multidisciplinary institution she started in 2013 — the Grammy-winning artist and curator has fearlessly dove into the worlds of music, choreography, design, architecture, visual art and more.

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Inflammatory rhetoric, and even the incitement and praise of violence, is simply laughed off under the auspices of humor and pushed aside by a brief or private apology.

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Once the appointment was then made, sources suggest the "developed vetting" process then kicked in, under the auspices of the Foreign Office.

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Related Words

• aegis 
• sponsorship