On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as âthe Great War.â Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in ...
Augury is the practice from ancient Roman religion of interpreting omens from the observed flight of birds. When the individual, known as the augur, interpreted these signs, it is referred to as taking the auspices. 'Augur' and 'auspices' are from the Latin auspicium and auspex, literally one who looks at birds. Depending upon the birds, the auspices from the gods could be favorable or unfavorable. Sometimes bribed or politically motivated augures would fabricate unfavorable auspices in orde
Penury is defined as extreme poverty or lacking basic necessities. An example of penury is a life without shelter, food, clothing or water. lack of money, property, or necessities; extreme poverty; destitution. Origin of penury.