Word: augury (noun)

Associations

"Augury" means a sign or a prediction about the future, often based on interpreting something unusual or symbolic. It comes from old times when people believed they could tell the future by watching birds or other natural signs.

• The dark clouds were seen as an augury of a coming storm. Here, "augury" means a sign predicting bad weather.
• Ancient Romans practiced augury by watching birds to decide if an action was lucky or unlucky.
• In stories, a character might receive an augury that warns them about danger ahead.

A similar word is "omen," which also means a sign about the future. The difference is that "augury" often refers to a formal or ritual way of predicting, while "omen" can be any sign, good or bad, without a ritual.

Substitution

Instead of "augury," you can say:

• omen (a sign, usually about something important)
• prediction (a general word for saying what will happen)
• prophecy (a formal or religious prediction)

Using "omen" makes the meaning more general, while "prophecy" adds a stronger sense of a message from a higher power.

Deconstruction

The word "augury" comes from Latin "augurium," which means the practice of interpreting birds' behavior to predict the future.

• "Augur" was a Roman priest who performed these predictions.
• The suffix "-y" turns the action or practice into a noun meaning "the act or result of auguring."

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you noticed a sign that seemed to predict something? Was it a good or bad augury?
• How might people today use "augury" differently than in ancient times?
• Do you know any stories or movies where characters receive an augury? How does it affect their choices?