radiesthesian.
/ˌreɪdɪᵻsˈθiːzɪə/, /ˌreɪdɪᵻsˈθiːʒə/, U.S. /ˌreɪdiəsˈθiʒ(i)ə/ The (supposed) perception of energy or radiation by the body, proposed as the basis of the use of dowsing rods, pendulums, etc., esp. to locate buried substances or diagnose illness; a branch of alternative medicine based on this. Cf. radionics n.1
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > the paranormal > [noun] > detection of radiation
radiesthesia1935
1935 Jrnl. Brit. Soc. Dowsers 2 337 The field of radiesthesia is beset with many pitfalls for the unwary.
1950 V. D. Wethered Radiesthetic Approach to Health & Homeopathy iv. 30 The term radiesthesia has been given to the detection by human reactions of ultra-fine radiations or influences such as are given off by the body.
1958 B. Nichols Sweet & Twenties xi. 146 A few doctors who are making the first, hesitant steps into the uncharted science of radiaesthesia.
1975 Homes & Gardens Nov. 63/1 More than 20 doctors in this country practise radiesthesia and some belong to the Medical Society for the Study of Radiesthesia.
2003 T. Andrews How to heal with Color 62 Radiesthesia involves using a tool to translate those unrecognized energies into something more tangible.
Derivatives
radiesˈthesic adj. [after French radiesthésique (1930)] rare = radiesthetic adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > the paranormal > [adjective] > radiesthesia
radiesthetic1934
radiesthesic1959
1959 B. Copen What Radiesthesia is & What it can Do 15 All Radiesthesic research, diagnosis or therapy does not involve vivisection or cruelty to animals in any way.
1993 P. Gravett Making Sense of Eng. in Alternative Med. 124 Radionics..using an instrument to diagnose disease..and then to treat the disease at a distance using radiesthesic principles.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1935