augur
Definitions
To be a sign of how something will turn out; to foretell
预示，预兆（某事的结果）
In ancient Rome, a priest who interpreted omens, especially from the flight of birds
（古罗马）占卜官，尤指通过观鸟解读吉凶者
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedAn augur was the Roman priest who read birds to learn whether the gods would grant their favor — their 'increase' (augere) — to an undertaking. From 'reading divine approval' came the verb: to augur is to be a sign of what's coming. Hence 'this augurs well' = the signs point to a good outcome.
Root aug still carries 8 more wordsUsage Guide
In modern English augur is almost always the verb, and overwhelmingly in the fixed phrases augur well / augur ill / augur badly (for something). The noun (the Roman priest) is historical and rare. Don't confuse it with the tool auger (a drill/borer) — same sound, different spelling and meaning.
Example Sentences
- 1.
The strong early sales augur well for the product's launch.
- 2.
Falling profits do not augur well for the company's future.
- 3.
In ancient Rome, an augur would study the birds before any battle.
Easily Confused
augur (v., 'to foretell / be a sign') vs auger (n., a drilling tool). They sound identical but are unrelated: augur is from Latin omen-reading, auger is the boring tool. If it predicts the future, it's augur with a 'u'.