ˈophioˌmancy rare.
[ad. mod.L. ophiomantīa, f. ophio- + Gr. µαντεία -mancy.]
Divination by means of serpents.
| [1683 Hoffmann Lex. Univ., Ophiomantia, Græcè ὀϕιοµαντεία, divinatio ex serpentibus est, cujus exempla passim obvia.] 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp., Ophiomancy, Ὀϕιοµαντεία, in antiquity, the art of making predictions from serpents. 1877 W. Jones Finger-ring 101 The serpent held by the female figure refers to ophiomancy, the art which the ancients pretended to, of making predictions by serpents. |