An augur stands behind the covered Numa Pompilius at an auspicium ceremony to look at the sign from the birds on whether Numa was fit to be the future king of Rome. Engraving: Bernhard Rode, 1768-69
auspicate
PRONUNCIATION:
MEANING:
verb tr.: To begin an undertaking, especially with a ceremony intended to bring good luck.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin auspex (one who observes birds), from avis (bird) + -spex (watcher), from specere (to look). Earliest documented use: 1604.
NOTES:
Etymologically speaking, to auspicate is to birdwatch. In ancient Rome, an official called an auspex or augur looked for divine approval by observing birds: how they flew, called, or fed. Because, naturally, whether the birds pecked with gusto could decide whether an army marched, an election proceeded, or everyone went home kibitzing.
Professional bird-omen consultants are scarce today, but the market for the future remains crowded: tarot-card readers, palm readers, and other vendors of Delphic mumbo-jumbo are still ready to take your money and, in return, tell you what the universe allegedly meant to say.
Related words include auspices. and auspicious. The word inaugurate is also related: Latin inaugurare meant to take omens from birds, or to consecrate or install when the omens were favorable.