necromancy

[ nek-ruh-man-see ]
See synonyms for: necromancynecromancernecromantic on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. a method of divination through alleged communication with the dead; black art.

  2. magic in general, especially that practiced by a witch or sorcerer; sorcery; witchcraft; conjuration.

Origin of necromancy

1
First recorded in 1250–1300; necro- + -mancy; replacing Middle English nigromancie, from Medieval Latin nigromantīa for Late Latin necromantīa, from Greek nekromanteía; by folk etymology nigro- (combining form of Latin niger “black”) was substituted in Medieval Latin for the original necro-

synonym study For necromancy

2. See magic.

Other words from necromancy

  • nec·ro·man·cer, noun
  • nec·ro·man·tic [nek-ruh-man-tik] /ˌnɛk rəˈmæn tɪk/ Obsolete, nec·ro·man·ti·cal, adjective
  • nec·ro·man·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Words Nearby necromancy

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How to use necromancy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for necromancy

necromancy

/ (ˈnɛkrəʊˌmænsɪ) /


noun
  1. the art or practice of supposedly conjuring up the dead, esp in order to obtain from them knowledge of the future

  2. black magic; sorcery

Origin of necromancy

1
C13: (as in sense 1) ultimately from Greek nekromanteia, from nekros corpse; (as in sense 2) from Medieval Latin nigromantia, from Latin niger black, which replaced necro- through folk etymology

Derived forms of necromancy

  • necromancer, noun
  • necromantic, adjective

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