palmistry

noun

palm·​ist·​ry ˈpä-mə-strē 

ˈpäl-,

ˈpȯ-,

ˈpȯl- 

: the art or practice of reading a person's character or future from the lines on the palms

Examples of palmistry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Palm reading, also known as palmistry or chiromancy throughout history, has been far more than a party trick for centuries. —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2024

More than a party trick, palmistry can act as a reality check and excuse for a dose of self-reflection. —Alyssa Girdwain, Women's Health, 31 May 2023

Read on for everything to know, according to palmistry experts. —Alyssa Girdwain, Women's Health, 31 May 2023

But what exactly is palmistry? —Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, 3 Jan. 2020

In palmistry, Mars covers a lot of ground. —Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, 3 Jan. 2020

Fortune-telling methods include general readings, palmistry, crystallomancy, and others. —Dallas News, 29 Aug. 2022

After falling out of favor around the Middle Ages, palmistry underwent a monumental revival in the 19th century as interest in the occult grew. —Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, 3 Jan. 2020

By the mid-1900s, palmistry was fully integrated within American pop culture. —Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, 3 Jan. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pawmestry, probably from paume palm + maistrie mastery

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

palmistry

noun

palm·​ist·​ry ˈpäm-ə-strē  ˈpäl-mə- 

: the art or practice of reading a person's character or future from markings on the palm of the hand

palmist

ˈpäm-əst

ˈpäl-məst

noun