Defn: Italian. Milton.
AUSPICATE Aus"pi*cate, a. Etym: [L. auspicatus, p. p. of auspicari to take auspices, fr. auspex a bird seer, an augur, a contr. of avispex; avis bird + specere, spicere, to view. See Aviary, Spy.]
Defn: Auspicious. [Obs.] Holland.
AUSPICATE
Aus"pi*cate, v. t.
1. To foreshow; to foretoken. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
2. To give a favorable turn to in commencing; to inaugurate; — a sense derived from the Roman practice of taking the auspicium, or inspection of birds, before undertaking any important business. They auspicate all their proceedings. Burke.
AUSPICE Aus"pice, n.; pl. Auspices (. Etym: [L. auspicium, fr. auspex: cf. F. auspice. See Auspicate, a.]
1. A divining or taking of omens by observing birds; an omen as to an undertaking, drawn from birds; an augury; an omen or sign in general; an indication as to the future.
2. Protection; patronage and care; guidance. Which by his auspice they will nobler make. Dryden.
Note: In this sense the word is generally plural, auspices; as, under the auspices of the king.