augury
    n 1: an event that is experienced as indicating important things
         to come; "he hoped it was an augury"; "it was a sign from
         God" [syn: augury, sign, foretoken, preindication]

Augury \Au"gu*ry\, n.; pl. Auguries. [L. aucurium.]
   1. The art or practice of foretelling events by observing the
      actions of birds, etc.; divination.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. An omen; prediction; prognostication; indication of the
      future; presage.
      [1913 Webster]

            From their flight strange auguries she drew.
                                                  --Drayton.
      [1913 Webster]

            He resigned himself . . . with a docility that gave
            little augury of his future greatness. --Prescott.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. A rite, ceremony, or observation of an augur.
      [1913 Webster]