auspice

Auspice is a noun with two related senses in English. In one sense, an auspice is a sign or omen believed to forecast future events; in another, it denotes protection, sponsorship, or guidance provided by a person or organization.

The term traces to Latin auspicium, the practice of augury in which signs, especially the flight of birds, were interpreted to determine the will of the gods. The related word auspex referred to an official bird-watcher who interpreted these signs. English usage borrowed the term and, over time, developed the modern sense of sponsorship, as in under the auspices of a patron or institution.

In ancient Rome, auspicium and the associated auspicia were formal methods of divination used before major political, military, or religious actions. Today, the omen sense survives mainly in literary or historical contexts, while the sponsorship sense is common in contemporary language. For example, a conference or project may be conducted under the auspices of a university or foundation.

Usage notes: the plural auspices is often used to convey collective protection or support, as in “under the auspices of UNESCO.” The singular is rare outside specialized or historical writing, though it appears in phrases such as “the auspice of the gods.” The standard modern expression is “under the auspices of.”