macharomancy

English

Alternative forms

• machæromancy
• machairomancy

Etymology

From Ancient Greek μαχαίρα (makhaíra, “dagger”) +‎ -mancy.

Noun

macharomancy (uncountable)

1. Divination by interpreting swords, daggers and knives. This was popular in Scotland where on July 31st it was performed to predict the deaths and marriages of the following year.
   • 1652, Gaule The Magastromancer xix.

     Macharomancy, by knives or swords […]

   • [1973, Walter B. Gibson, Litzka R. Gibson, The Complete Illustrated Book of Divination and Prophecy, London: Souvenir Press, published 1987, →ISBN, page 320:

     MACHAROMANCY: Use of swords, daggers, and knives as instruments of divination. Presumably of ancient origin.]