Standard Lemma guide

myomancy

noun · 1 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 rats or mice. Their cries were believed to indicate the presence of evil.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Examples

  • 1855 Elihu Rich in Smedley et al. Occult Sci. Myomancy was a method of divination by rats and mice, and is supposed to be alluded to in Isaiah lxvi. 17. Their peculiar cries, or some marked devastation committed by them, was taken for a prognostic of evil.
  • 1903 Daniels & Stevans Encyc. Occult Sci. Myomancy - Made use of the sounds and damage done by rats. The great Dictator Fabius Maximus renounced his throne when warned by the squeal of a mouse and Cassius Flaminius threw up his command of cavalry.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Ancient Greek μῦς (mûs, “mouse”); myo- + -mancy.