palmistry

[ pah-muh-stree ]

noun

1. the art or practice of telling fortunes and interpreting character from the lines and configurations of the palm of a person's hand.

palmistry

/ ˈpɑːmɪstrɪ /

noun

1. the process or art of interpreting character, telling fortunes, etc, by the configuration of lines, marks, and bumps on a person's hand Also calledchiromancy

Derived Forms

• ˈpalmist, noun

Other Words From

• palmist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of palmistry¹

1375–1425; late Middle English pawmestry, equivalent to pawm palm ¹ + -estry (origin obscure; -y ³ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of palmistry¹

C15 pawmestry, from paume palm ¹; the second element is unexplained

Example Sentences

All you need is a competent plastic surgeon with an electric scalpel who has a basic knowledge of palmistry.

From The Daily Beast

I have brought the party hither, that you may use palmistry, or chiromancy if such is your pleasure.

From Project Gutenberg

Other Professors have stooped to it, but I—oh, no, it is playing palmistry a little bit too low down.

From Project Gutenberg

During the Christmas holidays she had been poring over an article on palmistry which she found in a magazine.

From Project Gutenberg

Palmistry assigns fine, tapering fingers to "artistic temperament," and rightly, for fine fingers are necessary for fine work.

From Project Gutenberg

The amount of study given to the hand renders it probable that palmistry may have considerable value as a physiognomic science.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• forecast
• forecasting
• guess
• indicator
• prognosis
• prophecy