anthropomancyn.
/ˈanθrəpəˌmansi/, U.S. /ˈænθrəpəˌmænsi/ Divination by the inspection of human entrails, esp. those of a human sacrifice.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > foresight, foreknowledge > prediction, foretelling > divination by natural phenomena > divination by entrails, haruspicy > [noun] > pretended divination by the entrails of people
anthropomancy1618
1618 B. Holyday Τεχνογαμια ii. iii. sig. Gv Then are there diuers kinds of your Magicke, as Necromancie, Anthropomancie, Gastromancie, Cheiromancie, Coscinomancy.
1693 T. Urquhart & P. A. Motteux tr. F. Rabelais 3rd Bk. Wks. xxv. 209 Anthropomancy [Fr. Antropomantie], practised by the Roman Emperor Heliagobulus.
1745 D. De Coetlogon Universal Hist. Arts & Sci. I. 254/2 Anthropomancy..is a Method of Divination performed by inspecting the Viscera of a Person deceased.
1840 S. Morgan Woman & her Master iii. i. 271 From the disgusting scenes of Anthropomancy (practised before the age of Homer) succeeded divinations of a less brutalizing character.
1915 Athenæum 6. Nov. 324/2 It was not, perhaps, necessary for the magician to be consciously ‘black’ even for him to practise anthropomancy.
2002 N. Drury Dict. Esoteric 13/2 Anthropomancy was also practised in ancient Egypt.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2016; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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