ˈthought-ˌreading, n.
The reading of another person's thoughts; direct perception by one mind of what is passing in another, independent of ordinary means of expression or communication: a power alleged to be possessed by certain persons or by persons in certain psychic states. Hence allusively. So ˈthought-read v., trans. to read a person's thoughts (with the person or the thought as obj.); intr. to practise thought-reading; ˈthought-ˌreader, one who practises or professes thought-reading; ˈthought-ˌreading a., that practises thought-reading.
| 1855 Smedley, etc. Occult Sc. 258 Thought-reading, in certain experiences of the somnambulist. 1880 Mrs. Forrester Roy & V. I. 30 Did you ever hear of people being thought-readers? 1883 Fortn. Rev. 1 Aug. 275 The most recently refurbished mystery in the guise of science, viz. that of so⁓called ‘Thought-reading’. 1891 Mrs. J. H. Riddell Mad Tour 111 No thought-reader could have imagined the topic that was engaging Bobby's mind. 1892 19th Cent. Jan. 37 These thought readings and foretellings. 1898 L. A. Tollemache Talks w. Gladstone 166 One would like to have seen, or (better still) to have thought-read, Carlyle. 1899 Daily News 9 Dec. 6/4 Do you think your thought-reading gift could be turned to practical service in detective work—a thought-reading Sherlock Holmes? 1906 Pall Mall G. 4 Jan. 2 He thought-read the conditional intentions of the British commander. |