Chresmomancy
/ˌkrɛzmoʊˈmænsi/noun
Divination by consulting or interpreting oracles.
Did you know?The Greek root behind this word is connected with chresmos, an oracle or divine response, while the ending -mancy comes from Greek manteia, divination.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
χρησμός (chrēsmós)
“An oracle, prophecy, or divine response—especially an answer delivered by a god.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μαντεία (manteía)
“The practice or art of divination; literally the activity of a seer.”
Hellenistic and Roman periods
Greek/Latin
χρησμομαντεία / chresmomanteia
“A compound referring to divination through oracles or prophetic utterances.”
Early Modern English
English
-mancy
“A productive English ending borrowed through Latin and French from Greek manteia, denoting divination by a specified method.”
19th Century
English
chresmomancy
“An English term for divination performed through oracles.”
Modern English
English
chresmomancy
“The interpretation or consultation of oracles as a form of divination.”
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