divination

noun

div·​i·​na·​tion ˌdi-və-ˈnā-shən 

1

: the art or practice that seeks to foresee or foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge usually by the interpretation of omens or by the aid of supernatural powers

2

: unusual insight : intuitive perception

divinatory

də-ˈvi-nə-ˌtȯr-ē 

də-ˈvī-nə-

ˈdi-və-nə-

adjective

Synonyms

• augury

Examples of divination in a Sentence

the art of reading tea leaves and other forms of divination

if her powers of divination are so great, why doesn't she know what the stock market will do?

Recent Examples on the Web

So yellow is yellow was was air and Lilia divination trial, and orange was Alice in the fire trial. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2024

Once again, the breakdown goes as follows: Lilia (Patti Lupone) wants to regain her divination skills, Alice (Ali Ahn) wants to find out what happened to her mother, and Jennifer (Sasheer Zamata) wants to reclaim her magic, which has been bound for some as of yet untold reason. —Caroline Framke, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2024

This misconception can lead to unrealistic expectations and misunderstandings about the nature of these divination practices. —Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 7 Aug. 2024

Textual evidence of divination with sortes, or lots that are drawn to predict the future, dates back to ancient Greece and Egypt and continues into the early Middle Ages. —Elizabeth Djinis, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English divinacioun, from Latin divination-, divinatio, from divinare — see divine entry 3

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

divination

noun

div·​i·​na·​tion ˌdiv-ə-ˈnā-shən 

: the art or practice of using omens or magic powers to foretell the future