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aus·pice

(ôspĭs)

n. pl. aus·pi·ces (ôspĭ-sĭz, -sēz′)

1. also auspices Protection or support; patronage.

2. A sign indicative of future prospects; an omen: Auspices for the venture seemed favorable.

3. Observation of and divination from the actions of birds.

[Latin auspicium, bird divination, auspices, from auspex, auspic-, bird augur; see awi- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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