What does auspicate mean?
To auspicate is to set something in motion, particularly through a formal or ceremonial act that marks its beginning. The word descends directly from ancient Roman religious practice: before embarking on any significant venture — a battle, a colony, an election — Romans would 'take the auspices,' observing the flights and calls of birds to determine whether the gods favored the undertaking. To auspicate was thus originally to launch an enterprise sanctioned by favorable omens. Over time, the religious connotation faded, leaving a general sense of inaugurating or commencing something with appropriate formality or good fortune. Today the verb is rare and largely confined to elevated writing, where it lends a sense of gravity and tradition to descriptions of openings, foundations, and commencements. Its adjective cousin, 'auspicious,' remains common and preserves the original idea of promising beginnings.
verbTo initiate or commence something, especially with a formal ceremony or under favorable circumstances; historically, to sanction an undertaking by taking the auspices — observing birds and other signs for omens.
- To begin or inaugurate something, especially with ceremony or favorable circumstances.
- (Historical) To undertake or approve an enterprise after taking the auspices, i.e., interpreting omens from the flight of birds.
"The university will auspicate the new research centre with a formal ceremony next month."
"The mayor was invited to auspicate the new library with a ribbon-cutting ceremony."
"In ancient Rome, no war could be auspicated without first consulting the augurs."
Before ancient Romans launched anything important, they watched the birds — and the word 'auspicate' still carries that omen-reading DNA in every formal opening ceremony today.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does auspicate come from?
Auspicate comes from Latin 'auspicare' or 'auspicari,' meaning 'to take observations of birds for divination,' itself derived from 'auspex,' literally a bird-watcher — from 'avis' (bird) and 'specere' (to look). The word entered English in the early 17th century. It shares this Latin root with 'auspice' and 'auspicious,' and more distantly with other words built on 'specere,' such as 'inspect' and 'spectator.'
Related word forms
How auspicate is actually used
Auspicate is rare and distinctly formal or literary; in everyday English, 'inaugurate' or 'open' is far more common. The historical religious sense belongs almost exclusively to discussions of Roman antiquity.
Easily confused with auspicate
Auspicious is an adjective describing something that promises success or good fortune, whereas auspicate is the verb meaning to begin something, originally by reading such omens.
To auscultate is to listen to sounds within the body (as with a stethoscope), a medical act entirely unrelated to beginning an endeavor.