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Webster 1913 Edition
Catoptromancy
Ca-top′tro-manˊcy
,Noun.
[Gr. [GREEK] mirror +
-mancy
. See Catopter
.] (Antiq.)
A species of divination, which was performed by letting down a mirror into water, for a sick person to look at his face in it. If his countenance appeared distorted and ghastly, it was an ill omen; if fresh and healthy, it was favorable.
Webster 1828 Edition
Catoptromancy
CATOPTROMANCY
,Noun.
Definition 2024
catoptromancy
catoptromancy
English
Alternative forms
- catoxtromancy
- cattobomancy
- cataptromancy
- catoptromancie
- catoptiomancy
Noun
catoptromancy (uncountable)
- Divination by use of mirrors, or other reflective surfaces. Similar to crystallomancy, dubjed, enoptromancy and scrying.
- 1660, Urquhart tr. Rabelais, Gargantua & Pantagruel iii. xxv.
- Her Trippa going on in his Discourse, said by Catoptromancy, likewise held in such account by the Emperor Didius Julianus, That by means thereof, he ever and anon foresaw all that which at any time did happen or befal unto him: Thou shalt not need to put on thy Spectacles; for in a Mirror thou wilt see her as clearly and manifestly Nebrundiated, and Billibodring-it, as if I should shew it in the Fountain of the Temple of Minerva near Parras.
- 1880, J. Grant, Mysteries of all Nations, xlii
- Catoptromancy was a species of divination performed by the aid of a mirror. This..was common among the Achaians.
- 1660, Urquhart tr. Rabelais, Gargantua & Pantagruel iii. xxv.