auspice

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: aus=pice

CIDE DICTIONARY

auspice, n. [L. auspicium, fr. auspex: cf. F. auspice. See Auspicate, a.].

•  A divining or taking of omens by observing birds; an omen as to an undertaking, drawn from birds; an augury; an omen or sign in general; an indication as to the future.  [1913 Webster]
•  Protection; patronage and care; guidance.  [1913 Webster]

  " In this sense the word is generally plural, auspices; as, under the auspices of the king."  [1913 Webster]

  "Which by his auspice they will nobler make."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

auspice, n.
1 (in pl.) patronage ( esp. under the auspices of).
2 a forecast.

Etymology

orig. 'observation of bird-flight in divination': F auspice or L auspicium f. auspex observer of birds f. avis bird

ROGET THESAURUS

auspice

Omen

N omen, portent, presage, prognostic, augury, auspice, sign, harbinger, yule candle, bird of ill omen, signs of the times, gathering clouds, warning, prefigurement, ill-boding, auspicium melioris aevi.