[Auguria]; Auspicia; Prodigia; Ostenta; Portenta; Monstra; Omina. Auguria and auspicia are appearances in the ordinary course of nature, which for the most part possess a meaning for those only who are skilful in the interpretation of signs; auguria (from augur, αὐγάζειν) for the members of the college of augurs, who are skilled in such things; auspicia, for the magistrates, who have the right to take auspices: whereas prodigia, ostenta, portenta, monstra, are appearances out of the ordinary course of nature, which strike the common people, and only receive a more exact interpretation from the soothsayer: lastly, omina (ὄθματα, ὄσσαι) are signs which any person, to whom they occur, can interpret for himself, without assistance. The primary notion in prodigium is, that the appearance is replete with meaning, and pregnant with consequences; in ostentum, that it excites wonder, and is great in its nature: in portentum, that it excites terror, and threatens danger; in monstrum, that it is unnatural and ugly. (v. 178.)
Aura, see [Anima].
Auscultare, see [Audire].
Auspicia, see [Auguria].
[Austerus]; Severus; Difficilis; Morosus; Tetricus. 1. Austerus (αὐστηρός, from αὔω) denotes gravity as an intellectual, severus (αὐηρός) as a moral quality. The austerus in opp. to jucundus, Plin. H. N. xxxiv. 8. xxxv. 11, is an enemy to jocularity and frivolity, and seeks in science, learning, and social intercourse, always that which is serious and real, at the risk of passing for dull; the severus, in opp. to luxuriosus, Quintil. xi. 3, 74, is rigid, hates all dissoluteness and laxity of principle, and exacts from himself and others self-control and energy of character, at the risk of passing for harsh. The stoic, as a philosopher, is austerus, as a man, severus. 2. Austerus and severus involve no blame; whereas difficilis, morosus, and tetricus, denote an excess or degeneracy of rigor. The difficilis understands not the art of easy and agreeable converse, from hypochondria and temperament; the morosus (from mos) is scrupulous, and wishes everything to be done according to rule, from scrupulosity and want of tolerance; the tetricus (redupl. of trux, τραχύς) is stiff and constrained, from pedantry and want of temper. (iii. 232.)
Autumare, see [Censere].
[Auxilium]; Opem ferre; Opitulari; Juvare; Adjuvare. 1. Auxilium, opem ferre, and opitulari, suppose a person in a strait, whom one would rescue from necessity and danger, in opp. to deserere, destituere, and so forth; the auxilium ferens is to be considered as an ally, who makes himself subservient to the personal safety, or to the interest of him who is in a strait; the opem ferens, as a benefactor, who employs his power and strength for the benefit of the weak; whereas juvare and adjuvare (ἰᾶσθαι) suppose only a person striving to do something, which he may be enabled to do better and quicker by help, in opp. to impedire, Cic. Verr. i. 6. Ter. Heaut. v. 2, 39. Matres solent esse filiis in peccato adjutrices, auxilio in paterna injuria. When in Liv. ii. 6, Tarquin entreats the Veientes, ferrent opem, adjuvarent, he is first considered as exulans, then as regnum repetiturus. 2. Opem and auxilium ferre derive their emphasis from the noun, to bring help, and nothing else; whereas opitulari, and the poetical word, auxiliari, derive their emphasis from their verbal form, and mean to bring help, and not to refuse. (v. 70.)
[Ave]; Salve; Vale. Ave (from εὖ) is a salutation used at meeting and at parting, like χαῖρε; whereas salve is used at meeting only, vale at parting, like ἔῤῥωσο. Suet. Galb. 4. Ut liberti mane salvere, vespere valere sibi singuli dicerent. (i. 28.)
Aves, see [Volucres].
Avidus, see [Velle].