dactylomancy

English

Alternative forms

• dactyliomancy
• dactalomancy

Etymology

dactylo- + -mancy (“divination”), from Greek dakterlios, finger ring.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /dækˈtɪləmænsi/

Noun

dactylomancy (uncountable)

1. divination by various methods using rings. Such as using silver or gold rings placed on the fingernails in patterns in conjunction with the planets.

References

"Dactylomancy, by rings..." -- The Magastromancer xix, Gaule, 1652

"Dactyliomancy was divination by means of a ring. The ring was suspended by a thread above a round table, on the edge of which letters of the alphabet were marked. The ring, in shaking or vibrating over the table, stopped over certain of the letters, which, on being connected, supplied the answer asked." -- Mysteries of all Nations xiii, J. Grant, 1880