Cartomancy
/ˈkɑːr.toʊˌmæn.si/noun
Divination performed by interpreting the arrangement and symbolism of playing cards or tarot cards.
Did you know?The suffix “-mancy” comes from Greek manteia, meaning divination or prophecy, linking card reading linguistically to practices such as geomancy and necromancy.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
manteia
“Divination, prophecy, or the practice of seeking hidden knowledge”
Ancient Greek
Greek
manteuesthai
“To divine or prophesy; the verbal root behind -mancy”
15th–16th Century
Italian/French
carta / carte
“A card or piece of paper; ultimately from Latin charta, a sheet of writing material”
18th Century
French
cartomancie
“Divination by means of cards”
19th Century
English
cartomancy
“The practice of divining through cards, including playing cards and tarot”
Explore more surprising origins