Definition

1. Noun:
   • A sign or event believed to foretell the future: An augury is an omen or a prophetic sign, often interpreted as indicating a future event, especially one of importance.
   • The practice of interpreting omens: Augury can also refer to the art or practice of divination, of foretelling the future from signs or omens.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The sudden flight of birds was considered an augury of the coming storm.
  • Ancient Romans practiced augury by observing the behavior of birds.
  • She saw the rainbow as a favorable augury for their new venture.

Advanced Usage

• "To take something as an augury": To interpret an event or sign as a prediction.
  • He took the successful launch as an augury for the project's overall success.
• "Of good/bad augury": Used to describe something that is seen as a good or bad omen.
  • The sunny morning was of good augury for the outdoor wedding.

Variants and Related Words

• Augur (verb): To predict or foreshadow a future outcome.
  • The early sales figures augur well for the product's success.
• Auspice (noun): Often used in the plural ("auspices"), meaning a divine or prophetic token; also, patronage or guidance. Historically related to augury.
  • The project was undertaken under the auspices of the university.

Synonyms

• Omen: A phenomenon believed to foretell the future.
• Portent: A sign or warning that something momentous is likely to happen.
• Presage: An indication or warning of a future event.
• Prognostication: A prediction about the future.

Related Phrases

• "Bode well/ill": To be a good or bad sign for the future (similar in function to "augur").
  • The calm negotiations bode well for a peaceful resolution.
• "Harbinger": A person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another.
  • The first robin is often seen as a harbinger of spring.

Related Idioms

• "A sign of things to come": An event that indicates what will happen in the future.
  • The team's early victory was a sign of things to come in the championship.
• "Read the signs": To interpret indications about what might happen.
  • A good leader knows how to read the signs and adapt their strategy.

Noun

1. an event that is experienced as indicating important things to come
   • he hoped it was an augury
   • it was a sign from God