The Only Use of
augur
in
Macbeth
- Stones have been known to move, and trees to speak.
Augurs, and understood relations, have
By magot-pies, and choughs, and rooks, brought forth
The secret'st man of blood.p. 109.2augurs = people who interpret omenseditor's notes: Macbeth's fears that his treachery will be discovered could be paraphrased as: "There have been times when stones moved and trees spoke. Fortune-tellers, who understand hidden connections, have used magpies, jackdaws, and crows to reveal the most secret murderer."
Definitions:
-
(1)
(augur) to indicate or predict that something will happen --especially as a sign of what’s to come; or in ancient Rome, a religious official who interpreted signs and omens to guide public decisions
-
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
More rarely, augur may reference a person who predicts the future -- especially a religious official in ancient Rome.