Also 6–7 augure [a. L. augur, earlier auger; perh. f. av-is bird + -gar, connected with garrire to talk, garrulus talkative, and Skr. gar to shout, call, show, make known; but Fick would derive it from augēre to increase, promote, etc.; cf. auctor AUTHOR.]
1. A religious official among the Romans, whose duty it was to predict future events and advise upon the course of public business, in accordance with omens derived from the flight, singing, and feeding of birds; the appearance of the entrails of sacrificial victims, celestial phenomena; and other portents.
1549. Hooper, Commandm., vi. Wks. (1852), 327. There were some called augures, that by observation of the birds of the air … made men believe they knew things to come.
1719. D’Urfey, Pills (1872), III. 78. Having like an Augur watched, Which way he took his flight.
1879. Froude, Cæsar, iii. 21. The College of Augurs could declare the auspices unfavourable, and so close all public business.
2. Hence extended to: A soothsayer, diviner, or prophet, generally; one that foretells the future.
1593. Drayton, Eclogues, i. 7. Philomel, the augure of the Spring.
1647. R. Stapylton, Juvenal, 115. The Phrygians, Cilicians, and Arabians were very skilfull augurs, or diviners by the flight of birds.
1718. Pope, Iliad, I. 131. Augur accursed! denouncing mischief still, Prophet of plagues, for ever boding ill!
