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ptarmoscopy. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
ptarmoscopy, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
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English
Etymology
From Ancient Greek πταρμός (ptarmós, “sneeze”) + -scopy.
Noun
ptarmoscopy (uncountable)
- (very rare) The divinatory interpretation of sneezes.
- Hypernym: divination
1901, Maria Ward Brown, The life of Dan Rice, page 352:He divined by Metascopy, the lines in the forehead; […] by Ptarmoscopy, sneezing; […]
2005, Robert J. Rabel, Approaches to Homer, Ancient and Modern, page xiii:A catalogue of ancient sneezes and sneeze-interpretation (ptarmoscopy) is also provided.
2007, D. Nutt, The Classical Review, Issue 1:[…] , linking this action with her earlier laugh at Telemachus' sneeze (17.541-50) and the mantic qualities of such involuntary movements, as revealed by later examples of 'ptarmoscopy' in ancient literature.