hydatoscopy

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noun

Divination by interpreting rainwater. Omens are drawn from the various formations and sizes of rain puddles, and bowls of rainwater are gazed upon until clairvoyant visions appear on the surface of the water, or in the mind's eye. This is considered in some cases to be more important than hydromancy because rain has fallen from the heavens, making it sacred.

OriginAncient Greek ὕδωρ →
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Meanings

nounhydatoscopy (uncountable)
  1. rareuncountableDivination by interpreting rainwater. Omens are drawn from the various formations and sizes of rain puddles, and bowls of rainwater are gazed upon until clairvoyant visions appear on the surface of the water, or in the mind's eye. This is considered in some cases to be more important than hydromancy because rain has fallen from the heavens, making it sacred.

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekὕδωρ“water”
  2. Englishhydatoscopy

From hydato- + -scopy. Hydat- is the stem of Ancient Greek ὕδωρ (húdōr, “water”), whence also hydro-.

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

hydatoscopy. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hydatoscopy

MLA

“hydatoscopy.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hydatoscopy. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “hydatoscopy,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hydatoscopy.

Source: hydatoscopy on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.