Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Astragalomancy
As-trag′a-lo-manˊcy
,Noun.
[Gr. [GREEK] ankle bone, die +
-mancy
.] Divination by means of small bones or dice.
Definition 2024
astragalomancy
astragalomancy
English
Noun
astragalomancy (uncountable)
- Divination by dice made from huckle-bones. They have four flat sides and two round sides which were marked.
- Divination by throwing astragaloi (see etymology above) onto the pages of a picture book.
- Simply divination by dice.
Synonyms
Quotations
- ""kinde of divination by the opening of a booke at all adventures..." He adds, "I shall omit to speak here of astragalomancy, that was done with huckle bones; ceromancy, and all other such like fooleries." -- E. Chilmead in Brand Popular Antiquities, Dr. Ferrand, in his Love Melancholy, 1640
- "ASTRAGALOMANCY or ASTRAGYROMANCY: Divination with dice, ranging from crude bones with primitive markings to cubes bearing spots, letters, or cabalistic symbols, all interpreted by the bone caster." -- Gibson Complete Illust. Bk Div. & Prophecy, 1973
- "Astragalomancy: Today this is a form of divination using two dice, but originally a pair of astragals (probably the left and right ankle-bones of a sheep) would have been used." -- Complete Bk Predictions, 1983
External links
- astragalomancy on Wikipedia.Wikipedia