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rhabdomancy

[ rab-duh-man-see ]

noun

  1. divination by means of a rod or wand, especially in discovering ores, springs of water, etc.


rhabdomancy

/ ˈræbdəˌmænsɪ /

noun

  1. divination for water or mineral ore by means of a rod or wand; dowsing; divining
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • ˈrhabdoˌmantist, noun
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Other Words From

  • rhabdo·mantist noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of rhabdomancy1

1640–50; < Late Greek rhabdomanteía; rhabdo-, -mancy
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Word History and Origins

Origin of rhabdomancy1

C17: via Late Latin from Late Greek rhabdomanteia , from rhabdos a rod + manteia divination
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Example Sentences

Hazel-rods were used to "divine" for water and minerals by professors of an art which received the crack-jaw title of Rhabdomancy.

Sir Thomas Browne also speaks of a 'strange kind of exploration and peculiar way of Rhabdomancy' used in mineral discoveries.

Rhabdomancy, a species of divination by means of a hazel rod to trace the presence of minerals or metals under ground.

It is not water, but treasures which they profess to find by some hidden kind of rhabdomancy.

We find rhabdomancy a popular form of divination among the Greeks, and also among the Romans.

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