auspices etymology

Etymology:

  • Latin: auspicium, from avis ("bird") + spěcio ("look at")

Meaning and Origin:

In ancient Rome, auspicium referred to the practice of observing the flight patterns of birds to discern the will of the gods and determine the outcome of future events. The Romans believed that birds were messengers from the gods, and their behavior could provide valuable insights into divine intentions.

Practices:

  • Priests called augurs would observe birds in a specialized area called an "augural precinct."
  • They would pay attention to the type of bird, its flight direction, its call, and other behaviors.
  • Based on their observations, augurs would interpret the signs and provide guidance on important decisions, such as declaring war or starting a building project.

Significance in Roman Life:

  • Auspices played a central role in Roman religious and political life.
  • No major undertaking was commenced without first consulting the auspices.
  • The Roman calendar was structured around auspicious and inauspicious days, as determined by the augurs.
  • The augurs held considerable political power and influence, as their interpretations could have significant consequences for decisions made by the state.

In Modern Use:

The term "auspices" has been adopted into English, where it generally refers to:

  • Sponsorship or patronage of an event or organization
  • Protection or support provided by someone of authority or influence
  • Favorable conditions or circumstances

auspices relate terms

  • auspex

    Etymology Latin auspex auspicis Meaning A person who practices augury the ancie

  • auspex

    Etymology Latin auspex auspicis Meaning A person who practices augury the ancie

  • auspices

    Etymology Latin auspicium from avis bird spěcio look at Meaning and Orig

  • auspicious

    Etymology Latin auspicium Derived from auspicium auspex augur icium actio

  • avian

    Etymology Latin avis meaning bird Proto Indo European h₂éwis meaning bird

  • aviary

    Etymology Latin aviarium meaning enclosure for birds From avis meaning bird

  • aviation

    Etymology Aviation is derived from the Latin word avis meaning bird Meaning Aviat

  • aviator

    Etymology The word aviator is derived from the Latin word avis meaning bird Mea

  • avicide

    Etymology avi Latin bird cide Latin killer Meaning A substance or agent that

  • aviculture

    Etymology and Meaning The word aviculture is derived from the Latin words avis meani

  • aviform

    Etymology Derived from Latin avis bird and form form shape Meaning Birdl

  • caviar

    Etymology The word caviar comes from the Persian word khaviār which means egg bea

  • cockney

    Etymology The term cockney is derived from the Middle English word cokeney which lik

  • ocarina

    Etymology Origin Italian Meaning Little goose Derivations Occare Latin To ha

  • oocyte

  • oolite

    Etymology The word oolite is derived from the Greek words ᾠόν ōion meaning eg

  • oology

    Etymology Greek ᾠόν ōion egg λογία logia study of Meaning Th

  • osprey

    Etymology The word osprey comes from the Old French word ospray which is ultimately

  • ostrich

    Etymology The word ostrich comes from Middle English ostriche which is derived from

  • oval

    Etymology The word oval comes from the Latin word ovum meaning egg Meaning An o

  • ovate

    Etymology The word ovate derives ultimately from the Latin word ovum meaning egg

  • oviform

    Etymology Ovi Latin egg form Latin shape Meaning Egg shaped Origin

  • oviparous

    Etymology Ovi Latin egg parous Greek bearing producing Meaning Oviparous r

  • ovoviviparous

    Etymology The word ovoviviparous is derived from the Latin words ovum egg vivum l

  • ovoid

    Etymology The word ovoid is derived from the Latin word ovum meaning egg The suf

  • aspect

    Etymology Aspect comes from the Latin word aspectus which means a look or a view

  • auspex

    Etymology Latin auspex auspicis Meaning A person who practices augury the ancie

  • auspices

    Etymology Latin auspicium from avis bird spěcio look at Meaning and Orig

  • auspicious

    Etymology Latin auspicium Derived from auspicium auspex augur icium actio

  • bishop

    Etymology From Middle English bischop from Old English biscop from Frankish biskups

  • circumspect

    Etymology Latin circumspectus past participle of circumspicere to look around Cir

  • conspicuous

    Etymology Conspicuous originates from the Latin word conspicuus which means visible

  • episcopal

    Etymology Episc Greek Over upon or above Op Greek Face view aspect al Latin

  • especial

    Etymology The Spanish term especial derives from the Latin word specialis which mea

  • espionage

    Etymology French espionnage spying espionage Late Latin exspionare to track fi

  • espy

    Etymology The word espy comes from the Old French word espier which means to watch

  • expect

    Etymology Middle English expecten from Anglo Norman French expecten from Latin exspe

  • frontispiece

    Etymology The word frontispiece originates from the following Latin roots Frons for

  • gyroscope

    Etymology Greek gyros ring skopein to view Meaning A gyroscope is a devi

  • haruspex

    Etymology The word haruspex derives from two Latin roots haruspic or haruspic

  • horoscope

    Etymology and Meaning Horoscope is derived from the Late Latin word horoscopus whic

  • inspect

    Etymology Latin inspectus past participle of inspicere to look into examine Prefi

  • inspection

    Etymology The word inspection comes from the Latin inspectio which means a view o

  • inspector

    Etymology Latin inspector inspector Meaning A person appointed to examine or over

  • introspect

    Etymology The word introspect originates from the Latin words intro meaning inward

  • introspection

    Etymology The word introspection is derived from two Latin roots Intro meaning w

  • perspective

    Etymology Perspective comes from the Latin word perspicere which means to see throu

  • perspicacious

    Etymology of Perspicacious Perspicacious originates from the Latin word perspicax

  • perspicacity

    Etymology Perspicacity originates from the Latin word perspicacitās which is deriv

  • prospect

    Etymology and Meaning The word prospect has Latin origins deriving from prospectar

  • prospective

    Etymology Latin prospectivus Meaning Relating to or characterized by looking forw

  • respect

    Etymology The word respect derives from the Latin word respectus meaning a lookin

  • respite

    Etymology of Respite The word respite comes from the Latin word respicere meaning t

  • retrospect

    Etymology The word retrospect comes from the Latin roots retro meaning back and

  • scope

    Etymology The word scope comes from the Middle English term scōp which itself ori

  • skeptic

    Etymology Latin scēpticus from Greek skeptikos inquiring derived from skeptesth

  • species

    Etymology is the study of the origin of words their history and how their meanings have

  • specimen

    Etymology Latin specimen meaning pattern model or sample Meaning A rep

  • specious

    Etymology The word specious has Latin roots deriving from the following speciōsus

  • spectacle

    Etymology The word spectacle is derived from the Latin word spectaculum which means

  • spectacular

    Etymology The word spectacular comes from the Latin word spectare which means to l

  • spectrum

    Etymology The word spectrum comes from the Latin word spectrum which means appariti

  • speculate

    Speculate Etymology Latin speculari to observe to watch From specere to look

  • speculation

    Etymology The word speculation comes from the Latin word speculatio which means spy

  • spice

    Etymology The word spice comes from the Old French word espice which in turn comes f

  • suspect

    Etymology The word suspect is derived from the Latin word suspectus meaning distru

  • suspicion

    Etymology The word suspicion comes from the Old French word suspection which is itse

  • suspicious

    Etymology Suspicious is derived from the Late Latin word suspiciosus meaning dist

  • telescope

    Etymology Greek tele far skopos watcher Meaning A telescope is an optica

  • protection

    Etymology The word protection comes from the Old French word protection which in tur

  • aegis

  • augur

    Etymology Latin augur from augurium augury divination Proto Indo European h₂ew

  • temple

    Etymology The English word temple is derived from the Latin word templum which in t

  • sinister

    Etymology The word sinister comes from the Latin word sinister which means left I

  • prodigy

    Etymology The word prodigy comes from the Latin word prodigium meaning a marvel w

  • Nome

    Etymology The name Nome derives from the Ancient Greek term nomos which means distri

  • oracle

    Etymology The word oracle derives from the Latin term oraculum which in turn comes f

  • prognostication

    Etymology Borrowed from Middle French pronostication from Medieval Latin pronosticatio

  • presage