ariolation
nounEtymology From (the stem of) Latin ariolari, hariolari, from hariolus (“soothsayer”) + -ation.
1
Obsolete Soothsaying; prophecy.
- Thus the Priests of Elder time, have put upon them many incredible conceits, […] deluding their apprehensions with Ariolation, South saying, and such oblick Idolatries […]1646, Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica, I.3:
- […] belongs to the technical part of divination, and may be reckoned for an Art, as well as any other sort of Ariolation.1685, Francis Rous, Seven Books of the Attick Antiquities, page 323:
1 more example
- The foolish system of ariolation is much practised by the primitive Papuas, previously to entering into any undertaking.1842, The Colonial Magazine and Commercial-maritime Journal, page 60: