necromancing

[ nek-ruh-man-sing ]

noun

1. the act or practice of using witchcraft, sorcery, or divination, as to reanimate a dead person or animal, foretell the future, communicate with spirits, or magically interpret mysteries:

   The king did not put any stock in prophecies, predictions based on dreams and signs, or any such necromancing.

2. an instance of witchcraft, sorcery, or divination:

   The people believed also in giants, omens, necromancings, and soothsayings.

3. the act of reintroducing or reviving something old, inactive, etc., especially an earlier topic of discussion online:

   Forgive a newbie for doing some necromancing and reopening an old thread.

adjective

1. engaging in or relating to the use of witchcraft, sorcery, or divination:

   The drama is about a telepathic character and her encounters with ages-old vampires, necromancing witches, and werewolves.

   He received this revelation in the midst of a necromancing trance.

2. magical; entrancing:

   The first number is followed by a procession of gloomy metallic songs grounded by the lead singer’s necromancing vocals.

Word History and Origins

Origin of necromancing¹

First recorded in 1650–60; necromanc(y) ( def ) + -ing ¹( def )

Example Sentences

I was well aware, before I saw him, that in the royal presence, like the dead soldier in Lucan, whom the mighty necromancing witch tortures back into a momentary life, I must have no voice except for answers:— "Vox illi linguaque tantum Responsura datur."

From Project Gutenberg