molybdomancy

noun

1. divination by interpreting shapes formed when molten metal, typically lead or tin, is dropped into water.

   uncountable

   MOLUBDOMANCY [molybdomanteia of molybdos Lead, and manteia Divination, Gr.] a divining, an observing the motions, Figures, &c. of melted Lead.

   1727, Bailey, The Universal Etym. Eng. Dict.

Where it comes from

From Ancient Greek μόλυβδος (mólubdos, “lead”) and the suffix -mancy. Probably after Greek μολυβδομαντεία (molyvdomanteía) or French molybdomancie.

Adapted from the Wiktionary entry molybdomancy (CC BY-SA 4.0).

← mojibakemomently →

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