Which word is associated with a prophecy or omen?

Boost your GRE vocabulary skills with engaging flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question offers hints and explanations to improve understanding and confidence for the exam!

The word "augury" is directly linked to the concepts of prophecy and omens. It originates from ancient Rome, where augurs were priests responsible for interpreting the will of the gods by studying the behavior of birds and other signs, making it synonymous with divination and foretelling future events. When we talk about augury, we are discussing the practice of interpreting omens, which aligns perfectly with the definition related to prophecy.

In contrast, "calumniate" refers to the act of making false statements about someone to damage their reputation, "aspersion" means making a derogatory remark intended to tarnish someone's reputation, and "beatify" pertains to a declaration of holiness, specifically in the context of canonization in religious practices. None of these terms carry the connotation of predicting or interpreting omens or prophecies, which makes "augury" the clear choice for the concept described in the question.

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