auspic-, auspec- (Latin: from auspex [genitive form auspicis] avi-, stem of avis, "bird" plus -spex, "observer", from specere, "to look, observe").auspex:
auspical:
auspicate:
auspicately:
auspicating:
auspication:
auspicator:
auspicatory:
auspice:
auspices:
auspicial:
auspiciate:
auspicies:
auspicinator:
auspicious:
auspiciously:
auspiciousness:
exauspicate:
exauspication:
inauspicate:
inauspicious:
inauspiciously:
inauspiciousness:
unauspicious:
unauspiciously:
An ancient Roman priest, or auspex, was appointed to foretell or divine the future outcome of an important event by observing the flights of birds, listening to their songs, observing the food they ate and by examining their internal organs. Favorable omens came to be known as auspicious while unfavorable signs were considered inauspicious. BR> Later the Roman auspex was replaced with the augur as the interpreter-observer of bird signs; his name being derived from the Latin avis, "bird," and garrire, "to talk or tell." His interpretation, or augurism, became the English word augury, an omen, and the Latin inaugurare, "to install an official after consulting the birds," became the word we use to install politicians in office with the hope that their "inaugurations" will prove to be auspicious for those who must endure these officials. |