auspex, spĭcis, comm. [a contraction of avispex, from avis-spicio], a bird inspector, bird-seer, i. e. one who observes the flight, singing, or feeding of birds, and foretells future events therefrom; an augur, soothsayer, diviner (in a lit. signif. far more rare than augur).
I Lit.: latores et auspices legis curiatae, Cic. Att. 2, 7: ego cui timebo Providus auspex, Hor. C. 3, 27, 8.—Of the birds from which auguries were taken : (galli, gallinacei) victoriarum omnium auspices, Plin. 10, 21, 24, § 49.—Since little of importance was done in Rome without consulting the auspices, hence,
II Transf.
A.1 In gen., an author , founder , director , leader , protector , favorer : divis Auspicibus coeptorum operum, Verg. A. 3, 20: Dis equidem auspicibus reor etc., id. ib. 4, 45, and Ov. F. 1, 615: auspice Musā, i. e. under the inspiration of the muse , Hor. Ep. 1, 3, 13: Nil desperandum Teucro duce et auspice Teucro, id. C. 1, 7, 27.—
2 Esp., as t. t., the person who witnessed the marriage contract , the reception of the marriage portion , took care that the marriage ceremonies were rightly performed , etc., παρανύμφιος: nihil fere quondam majoris rei nisi auspicato ne privatim quidem gerebatur, quod etiam nunc nuptiarum auspices declarant, qui re omissā nomen tantum tenent, Cic. Div. 1, 16, 28; cf. Val. Max. 2, 1, 1; Serv. ad Verg. A. 1, 346; Plaut. Cas. prol. 86: nubit genero socrus nullis auspicibus, nullis auctoribus, etc., Cic. Clu. 5, 14; so Liv. 42, 12, 4: auspicum verba, Tac. A. 11, 27; 15, 37: alicui nubere dote inter auspices consignatā, Suet. Claud. 26; veniet cum signatoribus auspex, Juv. 10, 336 Schol.; Luc. 2, 371 Schol.—In fem. , Claud. in Rufin. 1, 1, 83; cf. pronubus; auctor, II. F. 3.; and Smith, Dict. Antiq.—
B A beginning (post-class.), Eum. Pan. Const. 3; Pacat. Pan. Theod. 3.—
C Adj., fortunate , favorable , auspicious , lucky (post-class.): clamor, Claud. IV. Cons. Hon. 610: victoria, id. VI. Cons. Hon. 653: purpura, id. Ep. ad Seren. 57.