Auspiciously Meaning: Definition and Examples

Cultural Significance

• In many cultures, certain events like weddings or the start of a new job are seen as auspicious moments for success.
• Chinese traditions often consider the selection of specific dates for important events as a way to ensure auspicious beginnings.
• Hindu rituals often include prayers and ceremonies aimed at inviting auspiciousness into new ventures.

Literature

• Shakespeare often used the concept of auspiciousness in his plays to foreshadow events, particularly in 'Romeo and Juliet' where fate plays a critical role.
• In many fairy tales, the arrival of a special character, like a fairy godmother, is an auspicious event that signals hope or transformation.
• Modern fiction employs the idea of an 'auspicious start' to convey a sense of optimism and promise for the journey ahead.

Psychology

• Optimism is closely related to the idea of approaching situations auspiciously, as it shapes how we perceive potential outcomes.
• Studies show that thinking auspiciously about future events can enhance motivation and goal achievement.
• The principle of 'confirmation bias' can lead people to notice or recall only those events that confirm their auspicious outlook.

Main points about word origin

• The word comes from the Latin 'auspicium,' meaning 'divination by observing birds,' which was believed to bring good luck.
• In ancient Rome, priests known as 'augurs' interpreted the cries of birds to predict favorable outcomes.
• The prefix 'aus-' relates to 'to perceive' or 'to hear,' linking it to the idea of seeking signs or omens.

The word 'auspiciously' is derived from the adjective 'auspicious', which comes from the Latin 'auspicium', meaning 'divination by the observation of birds' and is a combination of 'avis', meaning 'bird', and 'spicere', meaning 'to look'. In Roman times, the auspices were used to indicate whether the gods approved of a certain action or project. If the signs were favorable, the venture could proceed; thus, the word 'auspicious' came to signify favorable situations or conditions. The adverbial form 'auspiciously' has been used since at least the early 19th century in texts describing events or actions that portend a successful outcome. Over time, the use of 'auspiciously' has broadened beyond its original context of omens and signs to encompass a general expression of good fortune applied in various aspects of life.

This word's position of #34,349 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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• 34348 unfed
• 34349 auspiciously
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