rhabdology
(ræbˈdɒlədʒɪ)
Also rabdo-.
[ad. mod.L. r(h)abdologia (Napier, 1617), f. Gr. ῥάβδος rod + -λογία -logy. Cf. F. rhabdologie.]
1. The act or art of computing by Napier's bones (or rods). Now Hist.
| 1667 Leybourne Art of Numbering i. 1 Rabdologie is the Art of Counting by Numbering Rods. 1671 Phil. Trans. VI. 3044 In the Rabdology of the Noble Nepper, the multitude and embarasment of those sticks..proved long and tedious. 1700 Moxon Math. Dict. 144 Rhabdology. 1841 Penny Cycl. XIX. 228/2 Rabdology. |
¶ 2. Used for rhabdomancy.
| 1855 Leifchild Cornwall 134 One or two remarkable instances of the supposed efficacy of the rod are on record... I find that some learned men believed in this science, called rabdology. |
Hence rhabdoˈlogical a.: (see quot.).
| 1825 Ann. Philos. Feb. 147 A box of rods, named the Rhabdological Abacus... These rods were invented by Mr. Goodwyn for the purpose of facilitating the multiplication of long numbers of frequent occurrence. |