pythonicaladj.
/pʌɪˈθɒnɪkl/, /pᵻˈθɒnɪkl/, U.S. /paɪˈθɑnɪk(ə)l/, /pᵻˈθɑnɪk(ə)l/ = pythonic adj.1
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > foresight, foreknowledge > prediction, foretelling > divination through oracles > [adjective]
pythonical1582
oraculous1612
theomantic1620
oracular1631
pythonic1658
1582 Bible (Rheims) Acts xvi. 16 A certaine wenche hauing a Pythónical spirit [L. spiritum pythonem].
1609 Bible (Douay) I. Lev. xx. 27 Man, or woman, in whom is a pithonical or diuining spirite [L. pythonicus vel divinationis..spiritus]..they shal stone them.
1676 E. Coles Eng. Dict. Pythonical, belonging to or practising Pythonism, the art of prophesying by a devilish spirit.
1744 T. Bromley Way to Sabbath of Rest 106 The Spirits, evil Genii or Angels, that are wont to act such Pythonical Deceivers, are permitted to try us by false Representations.
1750 Bible (Challoner) Isa. viii. 19 Seek unto them that have pythonical spirits.
a1872 J. D. Aylward in H. E. Manning Ess. Relig. & Lit. (1874) 3rd Ser. 71 Revealing in his natural character the makings of an ecstatic saint, or of a pythonical medium.
1951 C. S. Dessain in Catholic Comm. Holy Script. 1037 The legend ran that a python had uttered the oracles at Delphi until Apollo had killed it and took its place. Hence a pythonical spirit was one that foretold the future.
2002 F. M. López-Morillas tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Moral Hist. of Indies viii. 428 Through the girl possessed by the pythonical spirit he [sc. the Devil] said that Paul was preaching the true God.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1582