cleidomancy
English
Alternative forms
- clidomancy
- chilomancy
- kleidomancy
Etymology
Ancient Greek [Term?] (“key”) + -mancy
Noun
cleidomancy (uncountable)
- Divination by use of a suspended key as a pendulum. A form of radiesthesia.
- 1713 Fabricii Bibliographia Antiquaria xii.
- Clidomantia, qvando clavi inscribitur nomen furis.
- 1931 Lock tr. de Givry Picture Museum of Sorcery
- Cleidomancy was performed with a key suspended from a thread from the nail of a young virgin's third finger, this verse from the Psalms being repeated meanwhile: "Exurge, Domine, adjuva nos, et redime nos propter nomen sanctum tuum." The key would revolve if the thing asked could be affirmed.
- 1713 Fabricii Bibliographia Antiquaria xii.
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