planchette

[ plan-shet, -chet ]

/ plænˈʃɛt, -ˈtʃɛt /

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noun

a small, heart-shaped board supported by two casters and a pencil or stylus that, when moved across a surface by the light, unguided pressure of the fingertips, is supposed to trace meaningful patterns or written messages revealing subconscious thoughts, psychic phenomena, clairvoyant messages, etc.

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Origin of planchette

From French, dating back to 1855–60; see origin at planch, -ette

Words nearby planchette

planation, plan B, plancer, planch, planchet, planchette, Planck, Planck constant, Planck, Max, Planck's constant, Planck's law

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use planchette in a sentence

I put my hands on the keyboard like on the planchette of a Ouija Board hoping to conjure something.
‘White Collar’ Creator Jeff Eastin: My Biggest Con|Jeff Eastin|July 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The word “Planchette” is French, and simply signifies a little board.
The Salem witchcraft, The planchette mystery, and Modern spiritualism|Harriet Beecher Stowe
My wife once said to it: “Planchette, write the name of the article I am thinking of.”
The Salem witchcraft, The planchette mystery, and Modern spiritualism|Harriet Beecher Stowe
For example, she on one occasion said to it: “Planchette, where did you get your education?”
The Salem witchcraft, The planchette mystery, and Modern spiritualism|Harriet Beecher Stowe

Mr. G. was seated beside me, thoroughly intent upon Planchette.
The Salem witchcraft, The planchette mystery, and Modern spiritualism|Harriet Beecher Stowe
Now let us see where Mr. Headley gets the active powers and qualifications to produce the phenomena manifested by his Planchette.
The Salem witchcraft, The planchette mystery, and Modern spiritualism|Harriet Beecher Stowe

British Dictionary definitions for planchette

planchette

/ (plɑːnˈʃɛt) /

noun

a heart-shaped board on wheels, on which messages are written under supposed spirit guidance

Word Origin for planchette

C19: from French: little board, from planche plank 1

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