Standard Lemma guide

gastromancy

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

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Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

Divination by interpreting the sounds and signs of the belly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Examples

  • 1693 Urquhart translating Rabelais Gargantua & Pantagruel iii. xxv. By Gastromancy, which kind of ventral Fatiloquency was for a long time together used in Ferrara by Lady Giacoma Rodogina, the Eugastrimythian Prophetess.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Divination by noting magical visions in large-bellied glasses, sometimes described as a technique where a child is placed in front of a glass filled with water, the images in the glass then interpreted. Similar to crystallomancy.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Examples

  • 1610 Vives in J. Healey Saint Augustine of the Citie of God Diuination generally was done by diuers means..Hydromancy..done either in a glasse bottle full of water, wherein a Childe must looke, (and this is called, Gastromancy of the glasses belly)...

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From gastro- + -mancy.