a. [f. as prec. + -OUS.]
1. Ominous, esp. of good omen, betokening success, giving promise of a favorable issue.
1614. Selden, Titles Hon., 155. An auspicious flight of an Eagle towards him.
1742. Young, Nt. Th., VIII. 202. Beneath auspicious planets born.
1823. J. Thacher, Mil. Jrnl. Amer. Rev., 155. The splendid achievement of General Gates is auspicious to his preferment.
b. of persons: Predicting or prognosticating good.
1702. Rowe, Ambit. Step-Moth., II. ii. 662. Auspicious Sage, I trust thee with my Fortune.
1879. Chr. Rossetti, Seek & Find, 239. The aspect of jubilant auspicious angels.
2. Favorable, favoring, conducive to success.
1610. Shaks., Temp., V. i. 314. I’le … promise you calme Seas, auspicious gales.
1858. Sears, Athan., II. xii. 248. The results … have a direct and auspicious bearing on the great subject.
b. Of persons: Showing favor, propitious, kind.
1601. Shaks., All’s Well, III. iii. 8. And fortune play vpon thy prosperous helme As thy auspicious mistris.
1756. C. Lucas, Ess. Waters, I. Ded. Auspicious Heaven saw our distresses and dangers.
1871. Rossetti, Poems, 10. Fair with honorable eyes, Lamps of an auspicious soul.
3. Favored by fortune, prosperous, fortunate.
1616. Bullokar, Auspicious, lucky, fortunate.
1664. H. More, Myst. Iniq., 241. But Harvest sometimes has a more auspicious sense.
1804. in Gurwood, Disp., III. 419. We … have reposed for five auspicious years under the shadow of your protection.
