axinomancy

• axiomancy

Latin axinomantia, from Ancient Greek ἀξινομαντεία (axinomanteía), from ἀξίνη (axínē, “axe”) and μαντεία (manteía, “prophecy”)

axinomancy (uncountable)

1. (rare) Divination by saws or axes.
   • 1610, Augustine, City of God:

     Diuination generally was done by diuers means […] by hatchets, Axinomancy

   • 1855, Edward Smedley, The Occult Sciences‎:

     Axinomancy Was performed by balancing an axe on an upright stake, and the names of suspected persons being pronounced, it was supposed to point out the guilty by its motion.

   • 1925, Arthur Bernard Cook, Zeus: A Study in Ancient Religion‎, volume 2, page 702:

     Axinomancy, strictly so called, has varied somewhat in its modus operandi. A hatchet suspended by a cord was used to detect criminals or discover secrets: it twisted and turned in answer to relevant questions.

• axinomancy in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.