Augur, v. t.
To predict or foretell, as from signs or omens; to betoken; to presage; to infer. It seems to augur genius. Sir W. Scott. I augur everything from the approbation the proposal has met with. J. F. W. Herschel.
Syn. -- To predict; forebode; betoken; portend; presage; prognosticate; prophesy; forewarn.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Augur, n.
1. (Rom. Antiq.)
An official diviner who foretold events by the singing, chattering, flight, and feeding of birds, or by signs or omens derived from celestial phenomena, certain appearances of quadrupeds, or unusual occurrences.
2. One who foretells events by omens; a soothsayer; a diviner; a prophet. Augur of ill, whose tongue was never found Without a priestly curse or boding sound. Dryden.
Augur, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Augured (; p. pr. & vb. n. Auguring.]
1. To conjecture from signs or omens; to prognosticate; to foreshow. My auguring mind assures the same success. Dryden.
2. To anticipate, to foretell, or to indicate a favorable or an unfavorable issue; as, to augur well or ill.
Shades of meaning
"Persons or things augur; persons only forebode or presage; things only betoken or portend." CRABB English Synonymes. We augur well for a voyage from past good fortune and a good start; we presage success from the stanchness of the ship and the skill of the captain. We forebode misfortune either from circumstances that betoken failure, or from gloomy fancies for which we could not give a reason. Dissipation among the officers and mutiny among the crew portend disaster. Divine has reference to the ancient soothsayers' arts (as in Gen. xliv, 5, 15), and refers rather to reading hearts than to reading the future. We say I could not divine his motive, or his intention.
Prepositions
I augur from all circumstances a prosperous result; I augur ill of the enterprise; "augurs ill to the rights of the people," THOMAS JEFFERSON Writings vol. ii, p. 506. [T. & M. '53.] I augur well, or this augurs well, for your cause.