Meaning of cledonomancy | Babel Free

Definitions

Divination through interpreting chance remarks or events.

uncountable

Examples

“The consultant whispered his questions into the god's ear, then stopped his own⟳ ears, went out, and, when he got beyond the market-place, listened for chance words from passers-by. These were construed into an answer⟳. This form⟳ of divination (cledonomancy) remained popular at all periods.”

“Pausanias (2nd century AD) gives an example of cledonomancy. A man was not sure whether to marry⟳ a young woman of his own⟳ clan or a rich woman of more exalted rank. While thinking over the problem, he heard a child at play⟳ with his fellows shout⟳, 'Take⟳ care of yourself' which he at once understood to mean⟳ that he should marry⟳ the rich one!”

CEFR level