idolomancy

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noun

Divination by idols, images or figures.

OriginLate Latin idolum ← Ancient Greek εἴδωλον ← Latin -mantīa →
Scrabble 18
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Meanings

nounidolomancy (uncountable)
  1. uncountableDivination by idols, images or figures.

    1652 Gaule The Magastromancer xix. Idolomancy, by Idolls, Images, Figures...

    1 more example

    IDOLOMANCY: Use of idols or images for purposes of divination. The answers may come through dreams, by drawing lots, or anything else that believers may attribute to the power of such images. Some ancient oracles belonged in this category, and pagan priests often spoke from within hollow statues to give direct replies to questions regarding the future. In many cases, idolomancy has been closely identified with demonomancy, in as much as the idols simply represent the demons who are supposed to inhabit them when properly invoked.

    1973, Gibson Complete Illust, Bk Div. &ast Prophecy

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekμᾰντείᾱ
  2. Latin-mantīa
  3. Ancient Greekεἴδωλον“image, idol”
  4. Late Latinidolum
  5. Englishidolomancy

First element is from Late Latin idolum, from Ancient Greek εἴδωλον (eídōlon, “image, idol”). Second element is from Latin -mantīa, ultimately from Ancient Greek μᾰντείᾱ (mănteíā). Equivalent to idol + -mancy.

More words from Late Latin, Ancient Greek, Latin

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

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