Auspicate v.

[f. prec., or on analogy of vbs. so formed.]

  † 1.  trans. To give omen of, betoken, prognosticate. Obs.

1603.  B. Jonson, King’s Entert., Wks. (1838), 535/1. As ominous a comet … as that did auspicate So lasting glory to Augustus’ state.

  2.  intr. To augur, prognosticate, predict.

1848.  H. Rogers, Ess. (1860), III. 357. It were mockery to auspicate favorably so long as they continue.

  3.  trans. To initiate (a business, undertaking, etc.) with a ceremony calculated to ensure prosperity or good luck to it; to give a fortunate start to.

1611.  Speed, Hist. Gt. Brit., IX. viii. (1632), 553. To auspicate his Temporall affaires with Spirituall deuotions.

1640.  Brome, Antipodes, I. vi. 255. First, Sir, a health to auspicate our travailes, And wee’ll away.

1823.  Lamb, Elia, Ser. II. vi. (1865), 269. To auspicate … the filial concern, and set it agoing with a lustre.

1865.  D. Nash, in Merlin (E.E.T.S.), Pref. 6. Auspicating the foundations of cities … by human sacrifice.

  4.  To enter upon in a way that may be attended with good or bad consequences; to handsel, signalize (one’s entrance upon).

1611.  Speed, Hist. Gt. Brit., IX. vii. 6. Which Act was accidently hanseld, and auspicated with the bloud of many Jewes.

1796.  Burke, Regic. Peace, Wks. IX. 81. The very first acts, by which [this new Government] auspicated its entrance into function.

1834.  Sir H. Taylor, Artevelde, I. II. v. Can the son better auspicate his arms Than by the slaying of who slew the father?

  5.  To begin, commence, start; to inaugurate.

1652.  Sparke, Prim. Devot. (1663), 97. Whence all the rest auspicate their Gospel.

1831.  Crayons fr. Commons, 41.

1876.  Bancroft, Hist. U.S., I. iv. 125. The London company merits the praise of having auspicated liberty in America.

  † 6.  intr. To make a start or commencement. Obs.

a. 1670.  Hacket, Cent. Serm. (1675), 582. Let me auspicate from the Text and Authority of Holy Scripture.