I.to take the auspices.
I. Lit.
A. In gen.: “(Gracchus) cum pomerium transiret, auspicari esset oblitus,” Cic. N. D. 2, 4, 11: “tripudio auspicari,” id. Div. 1, 35, 77; 2, 36, 77: “Fabio auspicanti aves non addixere,” Liv. 27, 16, 15; 4, 6, 3; 6, 41, 5 sq. al.—
B. Esp., aliquid or absol., also with inf., to make a beginning, for the sake of a good omen, to begin, enter upon (first freq. after the Aug. per.): “ipsis Kal. Januariis auspicandi causā omne genus operis instaurant,” Col. 11, 2, 98: “auspicandi gratiā tribunal ingredi,” Tac. A. 4, 36: “non auspicandi causā, sed studendi,” Plin. Ep. 3, 5, 8: “auspicatus est et jurisdictionem,” Suet. Ner. 7: “auspicabar in Virginem (aquam) desilire,” Sen. Ep. 83, 5.—
II. In gen., to begin, enter upon a thing: “auspicari culturarum officia,” Col. 11, 2, 3; 3, 1, 1: “homo a suppliciis vitam auspicatur,” Plin. 7, prooem. § 3:“ militiam,” Suet. Aug. 38: “cantare,” id. Ner. 22.— Trop.: “senatorium per militiam auspicantes gradum,” attaining, receiving it through military services, Sen. Ep. 47, 10.!*?
a. Act. access. form auspĭco , āre, to take the auspices: “praetor advenit, auspicat auspicium prosperum,” Naev. 4, 2 (Non. p 468, 28): “(magistratus) publicae [rei] cum auspicant, Caecil. ap. Non. l. l. (Com. Rel. p. 66 Rib.): auspicetis: cras est communis dies, Atta, ib. (Com. Rel. p. 161 Rib.): Non hodie isti rei auspicavi,” Plaut. Rud. 3, 4, 12: “mustelam,” to receive, accept as an augury, id. Stich. 3, 2, 46: “super aliquā re,” Gell. 3, 2. —
b. Pass.
(α).
Abl. absol.: auspĭcātō , after taking the auspices: “Romulus non solum auspicato urbem condidisse, sed ipse etiam optimus augur fuisse traditur,” Cic. Div. 1, 2, 3: “Nihil fere quondam majoris rei nisi auspicato ne privatim quidem gerebatur,” id. ib. 1, 16, 28: “qui et consul rogari et augur et auspicato,” id. N. D. 2, 4, 11; id. Div. 2, 36, 72; 2, 36, 77: “plebeius magistratus nullus auspicato creatur,” Liv. 6, 41, 5 sq.; 5, 38; 1, 36; “28, 28: Hunc (senatum) auspicato a parente et conditore urbis nostrae institutum,” Tac. H. 1, 84; 3, 72 al.—
(β).
auspĭcātus , a, um, part., consecrated by auguries: “auspicato in loco,” Cic. Rab. Perd. 4: “non auspicatos contudit impetus Nostros,” Hor. C. 3, 6, 10: “auspicata comitia,” Liv. 26, 2, 2 al.—
(δ).
auspĭcātus , a, um, as P. a., fortunate, favorable, lucky, prosperous, auspicious: “cum Liviam auspicatis rei publicae ominibus duxisset uxorem,” Vell. 2, 79, 2.— Comp.: “Venus auspicatior,” Cat. 45, 26: “arbor,” Plin. 13, 22, 38, § 118.—Sup.: “auspicatissimum exordium,” Quint. 10, 1, 85; Plin. Ep. 10, 28, 2: “initium,” Tac. G. 11.—Adv.: auspĭcātō , under a good omen, auspiciously: “ut ingrediare auspicato,” at a for tunate moment, in a lucky hour, Plaut. Pers. 4, 4, 57: “Haud auspicato huc me appuli,” Ter. And. 4, 5, 12: “qui auspicato a Chelidone surrexisset,” Cic. Verr. 1, 40, 144.—Comp. auspicatius: “auspicatius mutare nomen,” Plin. 3, 11, 16, § 105: “gigni,” id. 7, 9, 7, § 47.