ptarmoscopy

English

Etymology

Ancient Greek πταρμός (ptarmós, “sneeze”) +‎ -scopy

Noun

ptarmoscopy (uncountable)

  1. (very rare) The divinatory interpretation of sneezes.
    Hypernym: divination
    • 1901, Maria Ward Brown, The life of Dan Rice‎, 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:
      […] , 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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