noun pl. auspices aus′·pi·ces (-pə siz, -sēz′; for 3 usually, -siz)

1. a watching for omens in the flight of birds; divination
2. an omen, esp. a favorable one
3. approval and support; guiding sponsorship; patronage a plan under government auspices

Etymology: Fr < L auspicium, omen < auspex, auspex