hepatoscopy

[ hep-uh-tos-kuh-pee ]

noun

, plural hep·a·tos·co·pies.

1. medical examination of the liver.
2. examination of the livers of sacrificed animals as a technique of divination.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hepatoscopy¹

First recorded in 1720–30; hepato- + -scopy

Example Sentences

Hepatoscopy falls within the former category, Astrology and Birth-omens in the latter.

From Project Gutenberg

Hepatoscopy and Birth-omens thus followed the same course in passing from the distant East to the West.

From Project Gutenberg

Hepatoscopy or divination from the liver was undertaken by the Chaldeans for the purpose of determining what the gods had in mind.

From Project Gutenberg