bibliomancy

American

[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.

bibliomancy British

/ 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

Etymology

Origin of bibliomancy

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

From Witch, Warlock, and Magician Historical Sketches of Magic and Witchcraft in England and Scotland by Adams, W. H. Davenport (William Henry Davenport)

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

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023