axinomancy
nounEtymology Latin axinomantia, from Ancient Greek ἀξινομαντεία (axinomanteía), from ἀξίνη (axínē, “axe”) and μαντεία (manteía, “prophecy”)
1
Rare Divination by saws or axes.
- Diuination generally was done by diuers means […] by hatchets, Axinomancy1610, Augustine, City of God:
- Axinomancy Was performed by balancing an axe on an upright stake, and the names of suspected persons being pronounced, it was supposed to point out the guilty by its motion.1855, Edward Smedley, The Occult Sciences:
1 more example
- Axinomancy, strictly so called, has varied somewhat in its modus operandi. A hatchet suspended by a cord was used to detect criminals or discover secrets: it twisted and turned in answer to relevant questions.1925, Arthur Bernard Cook, Zeus: A Study in Ancient Religion, volume 2, page 702: