/aw"spis/ , n. , pl. auspices /aw"speuh siz/ .
1. Usually, auspices . patronage; support; sponsorship: under the auspices of the Department of Education.
2. Often, auspices . a favorable sign or propitious circumstance.
3. a divination or prognostication, originally from observing birds.
[ 1525-35; auspicium a bird-watching, divination from flight of birds, equiv. to auspic- (s. of AUSPEX) + -ium -IUM ]