auspice

auspice — noun

1. the official support, protection, or sponsorship provided by an organization, in

1.名詞C1
釋義

the official support, protection, or sponsorship provided by an organization, institution, or influential person to help an event, project, or activity take place

例句

The charity concert was organized under the auspices of the United Nations Children's Fund.

under the auspices of + organization

Diya's art exhibition took place under the auspices of the National Cultural Foundation.

同義詞
  • patronage

    focuses on financial support and backing, often from wealthy individuals or nobles

  • sponsorship

    more commercial and concrete than 'auspices', used for funding in exchange for publicity

  • guidance

    emphasises advice and direction rather than official approval

反義詞

文法句型

under the auspices of + organization / institution / person

用法筆記

This sense is almost always used in the plural form 'auspices' within the fixed phrase 'under the auspices of'. The singular form 'auspice' for this meaning is very rare and may sound unnatural.

常見錯誤

❌The project was done under the auspice of the mayor.
✅The project was done under the auspices of the mayor.
💡The plural form 'auspices' is standard; 'auspice' alone is incorrect for this sense.

2. a sign or indication that suggests what will happen in the future, especially on

2.名詞C2
釋義

a sign or indication that suggests what will happen in the future, especially one that is read as either promising good fortune or warning of trouble ahead

例句

The Roman general interpreted the eagle's flight as a favorable auspice before the battle.

favorable auspice — common modifier for a good omen

The clearing of the storm was an auspice of good fortune for their voyage.

同義詞
  • omen

    more general and more common than 'auspice'; can be good or bad

  • portent

    more dramatic and often suggests something momentous or threatening

  • sign

    neutral and widely used in both formal and everyday contexts

文法句型

auspice + of + noun

adjective + auspice

用法筆記

Literary or formal. The adjective 'auspicious' (meaning promising or favorable) is far more common in modern English than the noun 'auspice' in this omen sense.

常見錯誤

❌The dark clouds were an auspice that it would rain.
✅The dark clouds were a sign that it would rain.
💡For everyday weather predictions, use 'sign' or 'indication' instead of the literary 'auspice'.

3. in ancient Roman religion, the practice of observing birds — their flight patter

3.名詞C2
釋義

in ancient Roman religion, the practice of observing birds — their flight patterns, feeding behaviour, and calls — in order to interpret the will of the gods and predict future events

例句

In Rome, augurs read the auspice to learn if the gods approved of a war.

historical context: ancient Roman religious practice

The flight of six ravens was the auspice that made the Senate delay the campaign.

同義詞
  • augury

    broader term covering all forms of omen-reading in ancient Rome, not limited to birds

  • divination

    the general practice of seeking knowledge of the future through supernatural means

用法筆記

Strictly historical, referring specifically to the ancient Roman practice of augury. For modern fortune-telling, use 'augury' or 'divination' instead.