INAUSPICIOUSLY, adv. In an unpromising manner, the auspices being unfavorable. Among the Romans it was customary before undertaking any important action or enterprise to obtain from the augurs, or state prophets, some hint of its probable outcome; and one of their favorite and most trustworthy modes of divination consisted in observing the flight of birds--the omens thence derived being called _auspices_. Newspaper reporters and certain miscreant lexicographers have decided that the word--always in the plural--shall mean "patronage" or "management"; as, "The festivities were under the auspices of the Ancient and Honorable Order of Body-Snatchers"; or, "The hilarities were auspicated by the Knights of Hunger."

Lugar: ¶753
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INAUSPICIOUSLY, adv. In an unpromising manner, the auspices being unfa… — The Devil's Dictionary