Dictionary

lecanomancy en · NOUN

Etymology

From Late Latin lecanomantia, from Ancient Greek λεκανομαντείᾱ (lekanomanteíā), from λεκάνη (lekánē, “dish, pan”).

Meanings

1. (uncountable) Divination by interpreting the sound or effect of an object or substance (commonly a gem) falling into a body of water.
   • 1610 Vives in J. Healey Saint Augustine of the Citie of God Diuination generally was done by diuers means..Hydromancy..done..in a basen of water, which is called Lecanomancie, in which Strabo sayth the Asians are singular.
   • Have you a mind (quoth Her Trippa) to have the truth of the matter yet more fully and amply disclosed unto you by Pyromancy, by Aeromancy, (whereof Aristophanes in his Clouds maketh great estimation) by Hydromancy, by Leconomancy, of old in prime request amongst the Assyrians, and throughly tried by Hermolaus Barbarus : Come hither, and I will shew thee, in this Platter-full of fair Fountain-water, thy future Wife lechering, and sercroupierising it with two swaggering Ruffians, one after another. 1900 [1693], François Rabelais, chapter XXV, in Thomas Urquhart, Peter le Motteux, transl., Gargantua and Pantagruel, page 133:
   • 1893 Howitt tr. Ennemoser Hist. Magic ii. Among the various other kinds of divination not here mentioned may be enumerated Chilomancy performed with keys; Alphitomancy or Aleuromancy, by flour; Keraunoscopia, by the consideration of thunder; Eychnomancy, by lamps; Ooscopy, by eggs; Licanomancy by a basin of water; Palpitatim, Salisatio, by the pulsation or motion of some member etc.
   • 1931 Lock tr. de Givry Picture Museum of Sorcery I may mention further lecanomancy, which was performed by letting precious stones drop into water; a mysterious little whistling resulted which announced the thing desired.

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