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Webster 1913 Edition


Necromancy

Nec′ro-manˊcy

,
Noun.
[OE.
nigromaunce
,
nigromancie
, OF.
nigromance
, F.
nécromance
,
nécromancie
, from L.
necromantia
, Gr. [GREEK];
νεκρόσ
a dead body (akin to L.
necare
to kill, Skr.
naç
to perish, vanish) + [GREEK] divination, fr. [GREEK] diviner, seer, akin to E.
mania
. See
Mania
, and cf.
Internecine
,
Noxious
. The old spelling is due to confusion with L.
niger
black. Hence the name
black art
.]
The art of revealing future events by means of a pretended communication with the dead; the black art; hence, magic in general; conjuration; enchantment. See
Black art
.
This palace standeth in the air,
By
necromancy
placèd there.
Drayton.

Webster 1828 Edition


Necromancy

NECROMANCY

,
Noun.
[Gr. Dead, and divination.]
1.
The art of revealing future events by means of a pretended communication with the dead. This imposture is prohibited. Deuteronomy 18.
2.
Enchantment; conjuration.