rhabdomancy

[ rab-duh-man-see ]

noun

1. divination by means of a rod or wand, especially in discovering ores, springs of water, etc.

rhabdomancy

/ ˈræbdəˌmænsɪ /

noun

1. divination for water or mineral ore by means of a rod or wand; dowsing; divining

Derived Forms

• ˈrhabdoˌmantist, noun

Other Words From

• rhabdo·mantist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhabdomancy¹

1640–50; < Late Greek rhabdomanteía; rhabdo-, -mancy

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhabdomancy¹

C17: via Late Latin from Late Greek rhabdomanteia , from rhabdos a rod + manteia divination

Example Sentences

Hazel-rods were used to "divine" for water and minerals by professors of an art which received the crack-jaw title of Rhabdomancy.

From Project Gutenberg

Sir Thomas Browne also speaks of a 'strange kind of exploration and peculiar way of Rhabdomancy' used in mineral discoveries.

From Project Gutenberg

Rhabdomancy, a species of divination by means of a hazel rod to trace the presence of minerals or metals under ground.

From Project Gutenberg

It is not water, but treasures which they profess to find by some hidden kind of rhabdomancy.

From Project Gutenberg

We find rhabdomancy a popular form of divination among the Greeks, and also among the Romans.

From Project Gutenberg