auguration
|au-gu-ra-tion|
🇺🇸
/ˌɔːɡəˈreɪʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌɔːɡjʊˈreɪʃ(ə)n/
act of interpreting omens
Etymology
'auguration' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'auguratio', where 'augur' referred to an augur (a Roman official who interpreted omens) and the suffix '-atio' formed nouns of action.
'auguration' passed from Latin 'auguratio' into Medieval/Church Latin and entered Middle English in forms influenced by those Latin usages, eventually appearing in English as 'auguration'.
Initially it denoted 'the act of auguring or interpreting omens'; over time the use became rare and sometimes conflated with 'inauguration' (a formal installation), but the original sense remains specialized and archaic.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act or practice of auguring; divination by interpreting omens (especially birds' movements or other signs).
In ancient Rome, the auguration carried out by the priests guided many public decisions.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
(rare, archaic) Sometimes used historically as an alternative to 'inauguration' to mean a formal installation or ceremonial beginning.
Some early texts use auguration in the sense of the ruler's formal installation.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/19 02:12