haruspication
|ha-rus-pi-ca-tion|
🇺🇸
/ˌhærəspɪˈkeɪʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌhærʊspɪˈkeɪʃən/
divination by entrails
Etymology
'haruspication' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'haruspicatio', where 'harus' meant 'entrails' and 'specere' meant 'to look'.
'haruspication' changed from the Medieval Latin word 'haruspicatio' and was borrowed into Middle English as 'haruspication'.
Initially, it meant 'divination by examining entrails', and over time it has retained that meaning as 'divination by inspecting animal entrails to predict the future'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
divination by inspecting the entrails of sacrificed animals, especially the liver; the practice of interpreting omens from animal organs.
Haruspication was practiced by ancient priests who interpreted the signs in animal entrails.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/18 01:00