necromance

[ nek-ruh-mans ]

verb (used with object)

, nec·ro·manced, nec·ro·manc·ing.

1. to use witchcraft, sorcery, or divination on or with (someone or something), as to reanimate the dead, foretell the future, or magically interpret mysteries:

   In the novel, an unknown entity is using a secret spell to necromance skeletal soldiers and take over the world.

2. to reintroduce or revive (something old, inactive, etc.), such as an earlier topic of discussion, an abandoned practice, or a worn-out piece of equipment:

   I spent many hours necromancing that ancient Batman costume of mine for Halloween.

   It takes some very dedicated historians, critics, and film editors to necromance films that would otherwise be forgotten.

verb (used without object)

, nec·ro·manced, nec·ro·manc·ing.

1. to reintroduce or revive something old, inactive, etc., such as an earlier topic of discussion or an abandoned practice:

   I know I’m necromancing here, but let me go back to a question from last month's thread.

Word History and Origins

Origin of necromance¹

First recorded in 1720–30; back formation from necromancer ( def )

Example Sentences

The golden discs of the rattlesnake-weed, That spangle the woods and dance— No gleam of gold that the twilights hold Is strong as their necromance: For, under the oaks where the woodpaths lead, The golden discs of the rattlesnake-weed Are the May's own utterance.

From Project Gutenberg

It has passed upon the spirit of Man like a thing of necromance—winning him to its command, and bowing him to its will, until royalty itself has stood powerless in its presence, and the poor mass of mortals, stricken and panting like cornered deer before the inexorable hunter.

From Project Gutenberg

And now the wind's transmuting necromance Touches the light and makes it fall and rise, Vocal, a harp of multitudinous waves That speaks as ocean speaks—an utterance Of far-off whispers, mermaid-murmuring sighs— Pelagian, vast, deep-down in coral caves.

From Project Gutenberg

Stoups of rare royal Rhenish, such they say As Necromance hides guarded in vast casks Of antique make far in the Kyffh�user, The Cellar of the Knights near Sittendorf.

From Project Gutenberg

Oh, necromance banquets by fountains of fairy, the spar-sprung!

From Project Gutenberg