augur ill

noun

1. in ancient Rome, any of a body of officials who interpreted omens as being favorable or unfavorable in connection with an undertaking
2. a fortuneteller; prophet; soothsayer

Origin: L, orig., a priest at rituals of fertility and increase, prob. < OL *augos (gen. *augeris), increase, growth < augere (see wax); meaning infl. by auspex, auspex

transitive verb, intransitive verb

1. to foretell or prophesy from omens
2. to be an omen (of); presage: cloudy skies augur rain

Origin: L augurari < the n.