alectryomancy

noun

alec·​try·​o·​man·​cy

ə-ˈlek-trē-ō-ˌman(t)-sē

variants or alectoromancy

ə-ˈlek-tə-rō-ˌman(t)-sē

plural -es

: divination by means of a cock encircled by grains of corn placed on the letters of the alphabet which are then put together in the order in which the grains were eaten

alectryomancer

ə-ˈlek-trē-ō-ˌman(t)-sər

noun

plural alectryomancers

The alectryomancers knew how to tap the power of the living chicken. A temple priest would scribe a circle on the ground, mark the letters of the alphabet around it, and place a kernel of corn on each letter.

—Bob Sheasley, Home to Roost, 2008

Word History

Etymology

Greek alektryōn or alektōr cock + English -mancy

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined above

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