apotelesm

plural apotelesms

1. obsoleteastrologyThe calculation and explanation of a horoscope.

   Had Alvarez the Spanyard endeavoured among us, to cure men with Apotelesmes or Figures, agreeable to the aspect of Heaven at our Birth, wee had laughed at him for an Almanack-maker.

   1666, David Lloyd, “An Account of Mr. Valentine Greatrates, and his Performances”, in Wonders no miracles, or, Mr. Valentine Greatrates gift of healing examined upon occasion of a sad effect of his stroaking, page 29

   3 more examples

   And finally, the Elementes, and all thinges of the Elementes composed, do geue Testimonie (as Aristotle sayd) that theyr Whole Dispositions, vertues, and naturall motions, depend of the Actiuitie of the heauenly motions and Influences […] What shall be the heauenly Impression, the perfect and circumspecte Astrologien hath to Conclude. Not onely (by Apotelesmes) τὸ ὁτὶ. but by Naturall and Mathematicall demonstration τὸ διότι.

   1570, John Dee, The Mathematicall Praeface to Elements of Geometrie of Euclid of Megara

   Duke William had a Mare that was with Fole of a Mule, and being near the time of her foling, he desired Fra. Paolo to bestow a Nights study with Astronomical Instruments, that the Horoscope, and natale Minute of the Beast might be known, with the situation of the Heavens, and the posture of the Stars at that time: which being done and reduced into the form of a Figure or Apotelesm, the Prince called Copies to be sent abroad[…]

   1676, Pietro Soave Polano, “The Life of Father Paul the Venetian”, in Nathanael Brent, transl., The History of the Council of Trent, page xi

   “[…]I have just been drawing your apotelesm; your future lies open to me. But mind, look attentively at it.” The twins fixed their eyes on the star; presently it seemed to split asunder and form two complete stars[…]

   1876, Adrien de Valvedre, At Dusk, page 206