Augur
Part of Speech
Verb, Noun
Definitions
- 1. (verb) To predict or foretell future events, often based on omens, signs, or interpretations.
- 2. (noun) A person who predicts the future or interprets omens, especially in ancient Rome.
- 3. (verb) To serve as a sign or omen of something that will happen.
Usage Examples
- "The dark clouds seemed to augur a storm, but the sun came out instead."
- "As an augur, he interpreted the signs of nature to predict the future."
- "The decision to build the bridge was augured by a significant drop in traffic."
Etymology
The word "augur" comes from the Latin "augur," which referred to a religious official in ancient Rome who interpreted the will of the gods by observing the behavior of birds or other omens. The term is derived from the verb "augēre," meaning "to increase" or "to promote," suggesting that augurs were believed to have the power to promote or foretell the future.
Synonyms
- Predict
- Foretell
- Prophesy
- Portend
- Augment
- Foresee
Antonyms
- Ignore
- Disregard
- Neglect
- Miss
- Overlook
Translations
Language |
Translation |
Pronunciation |
English | Augur | /ˈɔːɡər/ |
Spanish | Adivinar | /a-di-vi-nar/ |
French | Augure | /oɡyʁ/ |
German | Weissager | /ˈvaɪsˌzaːɡɐ/ |
Italian | Indovino | /in-do-vi-no/ |
Russian | Предсказатель | /prʲɪdˈskazətʲ/ |
Arabic | عراف | /ʕarrāf/ |
Chinese (Simplified) | 占卜师 | /zhān bǔ shī/ |
Hindi | भविष्यवक्ता | /bhaviṣyavaktā/ |
Bengali | ভবিষ্যদ্বক্তা | /bhôbishyôdboktā/ |
Marathi | भविष्यदर्शक | /bhaviṣyadarśak/ |
Gujarati | ભવિષ્યવક્તા | /bhaviṣyavaktā/ |
Kannada | ಭವಿಷ್ಯದರ್ಶಿ | /bhaviṣyadarśi/ |
Telugu | భవిష్యవక్త | /bhaviṣyavaktha/ |
Tamil | வாழ்கின்றவர் | /vāḻkiṉṟavar/ |
Punjabi | ਭਵਿੱਖਵਾਦੀ | /bhavikkhvādī/ |
Malayalam | ഭാവിപ്രവാചകൻ | /bhāvipravācaṯṯan/ |
Oriya | ଭବିଷ୍ୟବାଣୀ | /bhabiṣyabāṇī/ |
Assamese | ভৱিষ্যৱক্তা | /bhobishyaboktā/ |
Maithili | भविश्यवक्ता | /bhaviṣyavaktā/ |
Dogri | भविष्यवक्ता | /bhaviṣyavaktā/ |
Rajasthani | भविष्यज्ञ | /bhaviṣyajña/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- In American English, the pronunciation of "augur" emphasizes the first syllable, often sounding like "AW-gər."
- In British English, the "u" sound in "augur" may be pronounced with a clearer, more rounded vowel sound.
- In Italian, "augur" can be pronounced with a soft "g" sound as "ah-goor," especially in certain regional dialects.
Historical Usage
Historically, the role of an augur was important in ancient Roman society, where augurs were priestly officials who interpreted the will of the gods by examining the flight patterns of birds and other signs. These auguries were used to determine the proper course of action in both civic and military matters. The term "augur" has since evolved in modern usage to refer more generally to someone who predicts future events, often in the context of astrology or other forms of divination.
Cultural Nuances
The term "augur" is often associated with mysticism and the supernatural, particularly in contexts where predictions or prophecies are made based on signs or omens. In modern usage, it can also take on a more figurative meaning, referring to the prediction of future outcomes based on current trends or data. In many cultures, the augur's role has been romanticized in literature and film, where the augur is often depicted as a mysterious or wise figure who possesses knowledge of the future.
More Information
The concept of augury, from which the word "augur" is derived, dates back to ancient civilizations and is deeply rooted in religious and cultural practices. In ancient Rome, augurs played a significant role in public affairs, where their interpretations of omens could influence decisions of war, policy, and leadership. Over time, the role of augurs declined with the rise of Christianity and the rejection of pagan practices. However, the term has survived into modern times, and "augur" is now commonly used to describe anyone who predicts or foretells the future, whether through signs, data, or intuition.