Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

alectryomancy

noun
Save Word
alec·​try·​o·​man·​cy | \ ə-ˈlek-trē-ō-ˌman(t)-sē \
variants: or alectoromancy \ ə-​ˈlek-​tə-​rō-​ˌman(t)-​sē \
plural -es

Definition of alectryomancy

: divination by means of a cock encircled by grains of corn placed on the letters of the alphabet which are then put together in the order in which the grains were eaten

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Other Words from alectryomancy

alectryomancer \ ə-​ˈlek-​trē-​ō-​ˌman(t)-​sər \ noun, plural alectryomancers
The alectryomancers knew how to tap the power of the living chicken. A temple priest would scribe a circle on the ground, mark the letters of the alphabet around it, and place a kernel of corn on each letter. — Bob Sheasley, Home to Roost, 2008

First Known Use of alectryomancy

1652, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for alectryomancy

Greek alektryōn or alektōr cock + English -mancy

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about alectryomancy

Time Traveler for alectryomancy

Time Traveler

The first known use of alectryomancy was in 1652

See more words from the same year

Statistics for alectryomancy

Cite this Entry

“Alectryomancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alectryomancy. Accessed 29 Sep. 2020.

Comments on alectryomancy

What made you want to look up alectryomancy? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

gauntlet

Listen to the pronunciation of gauntlet

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

  • stylized drawing of woman pole vaulting across gap to get trophy
  • Which is a synonym of fuliginous?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games