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definitions

bibliomancy

[ bib-lee-oh-man-see ]
/ ˈbɪb li oʊˌmæn si /
|

noun

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

Nearby words

  1. biblioklept,
  2. bibliolator,
  3. bibliolatry,
  4. bibliological,
  5. bibliology,
  6. bibliomania,
  7. bibliomaniac,
  8. bibliopegy,
  9. bibliophage,
  10. bibliophile

Origin of bibliomancy

First recorded in 1745–55; biblio- + -mancy
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for bibliomancy

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

    Witch, Warlock, and Magician|William Henry Davenport Adams

British Dictionary definitions for bibliomancy

bibliomancy

/ (ˈbɪblɪəʊˌmænsɪ) /

noun

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

Word Origin and History for bibliomancy

bibliomancy

n.

1753, "divination by opening a book (especially the Bible) at random," the first verse presenting itself being taken as a prognostication of future events, from biblio- + -mancy. In pagan times, Homer (sortes Homericae) and Virgil (sortes Virgilianae) were used.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper