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American Dictionary of the English Language

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Augur


AU'GUR, noun [Latin augur The first syllable is from avis, a fowl; but the meaning and origin of the last syllable are not obvious.]

1. Among the Romans, an officer whose duty was to foretell future events by the singing, chattering, flight and feeding of birds. There was a college or community of augers, originally three in number, and afterwards nine, four patricians, and five plebeians. They bore a staff or wand, and were held in great respect.

2. One who pretends to foretell future events by omens.

We all know that augur cannot look at augur without laughing.

AU'GUR, verb intransitive To guess; to conjecture by signs or omens; to prognosticate.

AU'GUR, verb transitive To predict or foretell; as, to augur ill success.