augur
UK[ˈɔːɡə(r)]US[ˈɔːɡər]
v
to be a sign of what will happen in the future
n
(in ancient rome) a religious official who observed natural signs, especially the behavior of birds, to interpret the will of the gods
Etymology
the english word 'augur' is borrowed directly from latin 'augur', the title of an official diviner in ancient roman religion. the latin term is likely related to the verb 'augēre', meaning 'to increase, prosper', suggesting the original role was to identify signs of future prosperity or divine favor. this connection highlights the core function of an augur: to interpret omens that indicated growth or success for the state. over time, the meaning generalized from the specific roman official to the verb meaning 'to foreshadow a particular outcome', based on the practice of predicting the future from signs.
Analysis
the word 'augur' is a simplex loanword from latin. it does not contain separable morphemes in its modern english spelling.
Examples
the early sales figures augur well for the new product launch.
in roman history, no major public event could begin until the augurs declared the omens favorable.
the sudden drop in temperature augured a severe winter storm.