auspex

[ aw-speks ]

noun

, plural aus·pi·ces [aw, -sp, uh, -seez].

1. an augur of ancient Rome.

auspex

/ ˈɔːspɛks /

noun

1. Roman history another word for augur

Word History and Origins

Origin of auspex¹

1590–1600; < Latin: one who observes birds, soothsayer, diviner, equivalent to au-, base of avis bird + -spex watcher ( spec-, stem of specere to look at) + -s nominative singular suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of auspex¹

C16: from Latin: observer of birds, from avis bird + specere to look

Example Sentences

With the caution of a veteran auspex, he evaded a direct reply.

From Project Gutenberg