Macquarie Dictionary

or

Have a magical Halloween

This Halloween, we’re thinking about one of our favourite suffixes, -mancy. Meaning ‘divination’, there are many fascinating words depicting the craft of what is in some cases very specific forms of fortune telling. These are largely older words, but we’ve picked a few of the best. Let us know of any new words (we’ve got our eye on technomancy and lexicomancy is starting to look pretty good too) that relate to divination.

 

 

 

 

 

 

cephaleonomancy a form of ancient divination in which the head of a donkey was burnt on hot coals, the point at which the jaw fell from the skull being taken as prophetic.

alectryomancy a form of divination whereby a bird, usually a black hen or a white gamecock, is allowed to pick grains of corn from a circle of letters, thus forming words.

crystallomancy divination by means of a transparent body, such as a crystal ball, precious stone, or mirror.

ichthyomancy divination by means of fish.

sycomancy divination by means of writing messages on the leaves of trees and waiting for them to dry.

apantomancy forecasting from chance meetings with animals, as a black cat.

 

oenomancy the use of wine in determining omens.

alphitomancy a means of divination using special cakes that are said to have a pleasant taste only for persons with a clear conscience.

pyromancy divination by fire or by forms appearing in fire.

 

Previous Years Word of the year

202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006

Featured Articles

Macquarie Dictionary acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and the Gadigal people of the Eora nation as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work.
We pay respects to Elders past, present and emerging. Please be aware that names or images of the deceased may appear on this website.

© Pan Macmillan Australia 2024. All rights reserved.

Signup for Newsletter