ptarmoscopy

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English

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Etymology

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From Ancient Greek πταρμός (ptarmós, sneeze) +‎ -scopy.

Noun

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ptarmoscopy (uncountable)

  1. (very rare) The divinatory interpretation of sneezes.
    Hypernym: divination
    • 1901, Maria Ward Brown, The life of Dan Rice[1], page 352:
      He divined by Metascopy, the lines in the forehead; [] by Ptarmoscopy, sneezing; []
    • 2005, Robert J. Rabel, Approaches to Homer, Ancient and Modern, page xiii:
      A catalogue of ancient sneezes and sneeze-interpretation (ptarmoscopy) is also provided.
    • 2007, D. Nutt, The Classical Review, Issue 1[2]:
      [] , linking this action with her earlier laugh at Telemachus' sneeze (17.541-50) and the mantic qualities of such involuntary movements, as revealed by later examples of 'ptarmoscopy' in ancient literature.
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