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Augury Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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augury

[หˆษ”หษกjสŠri ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

divination

The practice of predicting the future by interpreting signs or omens.

Synonyms

divination, prediction, prophecy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
augury

Typically used when referring to ancient practices of interpreting signs or omens, often linked with rituals and ceremonies.

  • The priest's augury suggested a prosperous year ahead.
  • In ancient times, people relied on augury to make important decisions.
divination

Used when discussing methods or practices for seeking knowledge or future events by supernatural means, often including tarot reading, astrology, and other mystical arts.

  • Her skills in divination were renowned, attracting people from far and wide.
  • The divination ritual involved complex symbols and ancient chants.
prophecy

Used when referring to a specific, often formal or religious, pronouncement about what will happen in the future. This word carries a sense of inevitability and authority.

  • The ancient prophecy foretold the return of the lost king.
  • Her prophecy about the country's fate left everyone in awe.
prediction

Commonly used in everyday language to indicate a forecast or an educated guess about future events, typically based on current information or trends.

  • The weather prediction for tomorrow is sunny.
  • His prediction about the stock market proved to be correct.

Examples of usage

  • Augury was commonly practiced in ancient Rome.
  • The villagers believed in the augury of birds.
  • She consulted a priest skilled in augury.
  • The king relied on the augury of the stars.
  • The augury foretold a prosperous harvest.
Context #2 | Noun

omen

An event or phenomenon regarded as a portent of good or evil.

Synonyms

omen, portent, sign.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
augury

Augury is often used in a formal or literary context to describe the practice of interpreting signs or omens, usually for predicting the future.

  • The ancient priests performed augury before important events to foresee the outcomes.
  • She took the raven's flight as an augury of impending change.
portent

Portent carries a slightly more dramatic and formal tone, often used to describe a sign that something significant or catastrophic is going to happen.

  • The sudden flock of birds was taken as a portent of disaster.
  • The comet was seen as a portent of major political upheaval.
sign

Sign is the most general term and can be used in both formal and informal contexts to indicate any mark, object, or event that implies something beyond itself.

  • The falling leaves are a sign that autumn is on its way.
  • Her silence was a clear sign that she disagreed.
omen

Omen is commonly used to refer to a sign, either good or bad, indicating what might happen in the future. It is often used in everyday language.

  • Finding a four-leaf clover is often considered a good omen.
  • The dark clouds on the horizon were seen as a bad omen by the sailors.

Examples of usage

  • The dark clouds were seen as an augury of the approaching storm.
  • The sudden appearance of a black cat was considered an augury of bad luck.
  • He took the rainbow as an augury of good fortune.
  • The howling of wolves was seen as an augury of death.
  • The fall of a shooting star was considered an augury of success.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The practice of augury originates from ancient Rome, where priests known as augurs interpreted the flight patterns of birds.
  • The word comes from the Latin 'augur', which means 'to increase'; it was believed that interpreting signs could help improve oneโ€™s future.
  • In ancient cultures around the world, augury was considered a sacred practice, often linked to divine will.

Cultural Significance

  • In many indigenous cultures, animal behavior was often taken as a sign from the spirits, similar to how augury was practiced in Rome.
  • The concept of omens and signs is prevalent in literature, often influencing charactersโ€™ decisions, as seen in Shakespeareโ€™s works.
  • In modern times, some people still believe in astrology and other predictive arts, reflecting a cultural legacy of seeking signs.

Literature

  • Augury appears frequently in literature, symbolizing the tension between fate and free will, especially in tragedies.
  • Authors often use auguries to foreshadow events; for instance, in 'Julius Caesar', a soothsayer warns Caesar to beware the Ides of March.
  • The symbolic use of birds and other natural phenomena in storytelling often draws from the practices of augury.

Psychology

  • The human tendency to seek patterns and predict outcomes is rooted in our evolutionary history, where survival depended on reading the environment.
  • Augury reflects a psychological need for control and understanding of uncertainty, driving people to find meaning in randomness.
  • Cognitive biases often cause individuals to see meaningful connections in random events, akin to the interpretations of augury.

Modern Interpretations

  • Today, while traditional augury is rare, the concept has evolved into practices like tarot reading, where symbols are used to gain insights.
  • In business, some use data analytics to forecast trends, which parallels ancient methods of predicting the future based on observed signs.
  • Augury has inspired various artistic expressions; for instance, films often depict characters seeking omens to guide their life choices.

Origin of 'augury'

The word 'augury' comes from the Latin 'augurium', which referred to the practice of interpreting omens or signs to predict the future. In ancient Rome, augurs were priests who specialized in interpreting the flight of birds or other natural phenomena. Augury played a significant role in Roman politics and decision-making, as leaders would consult augurs before important events or battles. Over time, the term 'augury' has come to represent any form of divination or prediction based on signs or symbols.

See also: augur, auguring.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,944, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.