now usually in pl. auspices. [a. F. auspice (14th c.), ad. L. auspicium the action or function of the AUSPEX.]
1. An observation of birds for the purpose of obtaining omens; a sign or token given by birds.
1533. Bellenden, Livy, IV. (1822), 319. Na plebeane micht have auspicis, that is to say, thay micht nocht divine.
1652. Gaule, Magastrom., 307. Taking an auspice … it was told him, &c.
1770. Langhorne, Plutarch (1879), I. 172/2. The auspices which were taken when he was appointed.
1868. Milman, St. Paul’s, ii. 20. All sortileges, auspices, divinations, and other works of the devil were forbidden.
2. gen. Any divine or prophetic token; prognostic, premonition; esp. indication of a happy future.
1660. R. Coke, Power & Subj., 186. The glorious Cesar Henry … whom God may make to command with happy auspices.
1796. Burke, Regic. Peace, iii. Wks. VIII. 327. This auspice [the publication of a pamphlet] was instantly followed by a speech from the throne, in the very spirit … of that pamphlet.
1848. R. W. Hamilton, Sabbath, ii. 50. What was the auspice and relief which words like these brought to his soul!
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., III. 20. A life which had opened under the fairest auspices.
3. Prosperous lead; propitious influence exerted on behalf of any undertaking; patronage, favoring direction; esp. in phr. Under the auspices of.
1611. B. Jonson, Catiline, II. (1674), 22.
| Great father Mars, and greater Jove, | |
| By whose high auspice, Rome hath stood | |
| So long. |
1667. Dryden, Ann. Mirab., 1150. That Town … Which by his Auspice they will nobler make.
1790. Burke, Fr. Rev., 135. The whole has been done under the auspices … of religion and piety.
1844. Lingard, Anglo-Sax. Ch. (1858), II. xi. 168. Published under the auspices of the Royal Society of Literature.
1865. Livingstone, Zambesi, xvi. 337. An experiment begun under his enlightened auspices.
† 4. A lucky or well-omened introduction. Obs.
1688. Dryden, Brit. Rediv., 50. That James this running century may view, And give his son an auspice to the new.
