Members of a college in ancient Rome, observers and interpreters of signs sent by gods. They were originally three in number, but finally sixteen. The office was held for life. The signs observed were: flight and feeding of birds; appearance of entrails of sacrificial victims, etc.; observations made on occasion of founding colonies, levying armies, or before a battle.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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