View synonyms for necromancy

necromancy

[ nek-ruh-man-see ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a method of divination through alleged communication with the dead; black art.
magic in general, especially that practiced by a witch or sorcerer; sorcery; witchcraft; conjuration.

necromancy

/ ˈnɛkrəʊˌmænsɪ /

noun

the art or practice of supposedly conjuring up the dead, esp in order to obtain from them knowledge of the future
black magic; sorcery

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Derived Forms

ˈnecroˌmancer, noun
ˌnecroˈmantic, adjective

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Other Words From

nec·ro·man·cer noun
nec·ro·man·tic [nek-r, uh, -, man, -tik] Obsolete, nec·ro·man·ti·cal adjective
nec·ro·man·ti·cal·ly adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of necromancy¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; necro- + -mancy; replacing Middle English nigromancie, from Medieval Latin nigromantīa for Late Latin necromantīa, from Greek nekromanteía; by folk etymology nigro- (combining form of Latin niger “black”) was substituted in Medieval Latin for the original necro-

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Word History and Origins

Origin of necromancy¹

C13: (as in sense 1) ultimately from Greek nekromanteia , from nekros corpse; (as in sense 2) from Medieval Latin nigromantia , from Latin niger black, which replaced necro- through folk etymology

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Synonym Study

See magic.

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Example Sentences

Necromancy—wizardry—fairy-lore—all the stuff and nonsense that goes to the making of 'The Arabian nights'!

From Project Gutenberg

Necromancy and magic, demonism and witchcraft, have long since been relegated to the limbo of exposed fraud.

From Project Gutenberg

On the other hand, Necromancy, according to the definition of Cotgrave, is divination by conference with dead bodies raised.

From Project Gutenberg

As to the facts of Witchcraft and Necromancy, it is quite impossible to deny their existence.

From Project Gutenberg

Many of the heathens cordially defended magic and Necromancy.

From Project Gutenberg

necromancing necromania

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