auspices

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

auspices
    n 1: kindly endorsement and guidance; "the tournament was held
         under the auspices of the city council" [syn: {auspices},
         {protection}, {aegis}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Auspice \Aus"pice\, n.; pl. {Auspices}. [L. auspicium, fr.
   auspex: cf. F. auspice. See {Auspicate}, a.]
   1. A divining or taking of omens by observing birds; an omen
      as to an undertaking, drawn from birds; an augury; an omen
      or sign in general; an indication as to the future.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Protection; patronage and care; guidance.
      [1913 Webster]

            Which by his auspice they will nobler make.
                                                  --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: In this sense the word is generally plural, auspices;
         as, under the auspices of the king.
         [1913 Webster]

59 Moby Thesaurus words for "auspices": abetment, accountability, administration, advocacy, aegis, approval, authority, backing, bossing, care, championship, charge, charity, control, countenance, cure, custodianship, custody, encouragement, eye, favor, fosterage, goodwill, governance, government, guardianship, guidance, hands, influence, intendance, interest, jurisdiction, keeping, management, ministry, oversight, pastorage, pastorate, pastorship, patronage, protection, protectorship, responsibility, safe hands, sanction, seconding, sponsorship, stewardship, superintendence, supervision, support, surveillance, sympathy, tutelage, ward, wardenship, wardship, watch and ward, wing