Ombromancy
/ˌɒm.brəˈmæn.si/noun
Divination by observing or interpreting rain and rainfall.
Did you know?The ending “-mancy” comes from Greek manteia, meaning divination, a root also connected with the Greek word for a seer.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ambhos / *n̥bʰros
“A reconstructed root associated with rain or precipitation; the exact prehistory of Greek ombros is debated.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ὄμβρος (ómbros)
“A rainstorm, especially a heavy fall of rain.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μαντεία (manteía)
“Divination, prophecy, or the practice of seeking supernatural signs.”
19th Century
English
ombromancy
“A learned occult term for divination by rain.”
Modern English
English
ombromancy
“The interpretation of rainfall as an omen or prophetic sign.”
Explore more surprising origins