bibliomancy

[bib-lee-oh-man-see]

noun

1. divination by means of a book, especially the Bible, opened at random to some verse or passage, which is then interpreted.

bibliomancy

/ ˈbɪblɪəʊˌmænsɪ /

noun

1. prediction of the future by interpreting a passage chosen at random from a book, esp the Bible

Word History and Origins

Origin of bibliomancy¹

First recorded in 1745–55; biblio- + -mancy

Example Sentences

Mandel had a better way of making that happen than a rabbit’s foot, bibliomancy or knocking on wood.

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“I just wanted to direct people to where they can look and find that answer,” she added, completely oblivious to the fact that bibliomancy is expressly forbidden by the very Old Testament whose authority she just lauded.

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To produce the work, Ms. Munroe, who was born in Michigan to parents who immigrated from Iran, immersed herself for 100 days in the Persian tradition of consulting the 14th-century poet Hafez for guidance, a form of bibliomancy, or book divination.

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Bibliomancy, divining by means of the Bible, survived to a comparatively recent period.

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Bibliomancy, bib′li-ō-man-si, n. divination by selecting passages of the Bible at hazard, and drawing from them indications concerning future events.

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