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cledonomancy. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
cledonomancy, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
cledonomancy in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
cledonomancy you have here. The definition of the word
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English
Etymology
From Ancient Greek κληδών (klēdṓn, “an omen”) + -mancy.
Noun
cledonomancy (uncountable)
- Divination through interpreting chance remarks or events.
1911, Encyc. of Religion & Ethics:The consultant whispered his questions into the god's ear, then stopped his own ears, went out, and, when he got beyond the market-place, listened for chance words from passers-by. These were construed into an answer. This form of divination (cledonomancy) remained popular at all periods.
1970, B. I. Rakoczi, Man, Myth & Magic v.:Pausanias (2nd century AD) gives an example of cledonomancy. A man was not sure whether to marry a young woman of his own clan or a rich woman of more exalted rank. While thinking over the problem, he heard a child at play with his fellows shout, 'Take care of yourself' which he at once understood to mean that he should marry the rich one!
Synonyms