Divination
/ˌdɪv.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/noun
The practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown through supernatural means.
Did you know?Divination practices date back to ancient Mesopotamia, where priests interpreted omens from animal entrails, a practice believed to connect them to divine knowledge.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dyeu-
“to shine, to be light; associated with the sky and deities.”
Latin
Latin
divinatio
“the act of prophesying or predicting, often interpreted as inspired by divine sources.”
Old French
Old French
devinacion
“the act of foretelling or predicting, borrowed from Latin.”
Middle English
Middle English
divinacioun
“the practice of foretelling the future, derived from Old French.”
Modern English
English
divination
“the formal practice of seeking to know the future through supernatural means.”