necromancy

[ nek-ruh-man-see ]

noun

1. a method of divination through alleged communication with the dead; black art.
2. magic in general, especially that practiced by a witch or sorcerer; sorcery; witchcraft; conjuration.

necromancy

/ ˈnɛkrəʊˌmænsɪ /

noun

1. the art or practice of supposedly conjuring up the dead, esp in order to obtain from them knowledge of the future
2. black magic; sorcery

Derived Forms

• ˈnecroˌmancer, noun
• ˌnecroˈmantic, adjective

Other Words From

• nec·ro·man·cer noun
• nec·ro·man·tic [nek-r, uh, -, man, -tik] Obsolete, nec·ro·man·ti·cal adjective
• nec·ro·man·ti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of necromancy¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; necro- + -mancy; replacing Middle English nigromancie, from Medieval Latin nigromantīa for Late Latin necromantīa, from Greek nekromanteía; by folk etymology nigro- (combining form of Latin niger “black”) was substituted in Medieval Latin for the original necro-

Word History and Origins

Origin of necromancy¹

C13: (as in sense 1) ultimately from Greek nekromanteia , from nekros corpse; (as in sense 2) from Medieval Latin nigromantia , from Latin niger black, which replaced necro- through folk etymology

Synonym Study

See magic.

Example Sentences

Today a substantial subset of people seem to regard science as the equivalent of necromancy or alchemy, or, like, Rumpelstiltskin.

From Washington Post

Hell, to be honest, necromancy comes about because of the type of person Harrow needed to be.

From Vox

Necromancy—wizardry—fairy-lore—all the stuff and nonsense that goes to the making of 'The Arabian nights'!

From Project Gutenberg

Necromancy and magic, demonism and witchcraft, have long since been relegated to the limbo of exposed fraud.

From Project Gutenberg

On the other hand, Necromancy, according to the definition of Cotgrave, is divination by conference with dead bodies raised.

From Project Gutenberg

As to the facts of Witchcraft and Necromancy, it is quite impossible to deny their existence.

From Project Gutenberg

Many of the heathens cordially defended magic and Necromancy.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Necromancy

What is necromancy?

Necromancy is a form of magic or divination in which a person communicates with the dead, as in The evil sorcerer used vile necromancy to get information on his enemies. 

Necromancy can also refer to magic or witchcraft in general.

Often, necromancy is depicted as conjuring up a spirit or temporarily raising the dead. The supposed goal of necromancy is to gain information from the dead, especially about the future.

A person who performs necromancy is called a necromancer, as in The necromancer performed a dark ritual in the secluded graveyard. 

The adjective necromantic refers to things related to necromancy, as in The powerful witch had a wide array of necromantic spells. 

Example: The wicked magician used necromancy to learn powerful spells from the spirits of dead wizards.

Where does necromancy come from?

The first records of the word necromancy come from around 1250. It ultimately comes from the Greek nekromanteía.

As far as we know, it is impossible to talk to the dead or bring the dead back to life in some form. However, ancient peoples thought necromancy and other magic were possible. During Europe’s Middle Ages, necromancy and other black magic was condemned by the Catholic Church, and anyone suspected of practicing it could have been accused of witchcraft and put to death.

In popular culture, necromancy is often depicted as being a dark magic used by witches, warlocks, and other sorcerers. Especially in fantasy fiction, necromancy often takes the form of a magic user raising the dead as zombies, skeletons, walking corpses, or other undead creatures.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to necromancy?

• necromancer (noun)
• necromantic (adjective)
• necromantically (adverb)

What are some synonyms for necromancy?

• sorcery
• black magic
• witchcraft
• black art

What are some words that share a root or word element with necromancy? 

• necrology
• necropolis
• pyromancy

What are some words that often get used in discussing necromancy?

• dark
• magic
• death
• sorcery
• divination

How is necromancy used in real life?

Necromancy is a word people use to refer to magic that involves death or the dead.

Which is worse: become a zombie from disease, or becoming a zombie from necromancy?

— Epic Reads ☀️ (@EpicReads) August 5, 2013

I'm constantly intrigued about life after death. Necromancy may be my new obsession.

— 🦖 Zac Thompson (@ZacBeThompson) March 18, 2014

Finished a oneshot tonight that ended in my necromancy leaning wizard literally disintegrating a red dragon with 78 points of damage in one go. I love dungeons and dragons.

— Mica Burton (@MicaBurton) November 17, 2019

Try using necromancy!

Which of the following words is most closely related to necromancy?

A. fire
B. death
C. nature
D. hypnotism