chiromancy

American  

[kahy-ruh-man-see] / ˈkaɪ rəˌmæn si /

noun

1. palmistry.

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chiromancy British  

/ ˈkaɪrəˌmænsɪ /

noun

1. another word for palmistry

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Other Word Forms

• chiromancer noun
• chiromantic adjective
• chiromantical adjective

Etymology

Origin of chiromancy

First recorded in 1520–30; chiro- + -mancy

Explanation

Chiromancy, or palmistry, is the art of reading palms to tell someone’s future. If you are in doubt about your future prom date or business venture, let chiromancy be your guide. If you like astrology and tarot cards, you might be interested in chiromancy, which involves looking at a person’s palms to determine their destiny. Chiromancy is a form of fortune-telling, and chiromancers look closely at the different lines on your palm to make predictions about your career, love life, and happiness. This is a rare word for what is usually called palmistry or palm-reading these days.

Example Sentences

Séances were a fad; so were hypnotism, chiromancy and telepathy.

From New York Times • Dec. 29, 2016

By the 17 century, the great age of wars of religion, palmistry, and chiromancy, knowledge of and on the hand would become major sciences.

From Slate • Nov. 15, 2012

Substituting an anatomical science�palmar dermatoglyphics�for the ancient pseudo-science of chiromancy.

From Time Magazine Archive

"How can you thus with contempt reject that noble chiromancy to which I have devoted myself for nearly a generation."

From Tales from the German Comprising specimens from the most celebrated authors by Various

Now that chiromancy has become so fashionable as to be a part of a great many entertainments, it is very desirable that the hands should present an attractive appearance.

From The Ladies Book of Useful Information Compiled from many sources by Anonymous