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crystal gazing

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crystal gazing

–noun
1. the practice of staring into a crystal ball, as by a fortuneteller, to see distant happenings, future events, etc.
2. speculation about the future.

Origin:
1885–90


crystal gazer, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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crystal gaz·ing   (gā'zĭng)
n.  
  1. Divination by gazing into a crystal ball.

  2. The making of determinations or predictions using questionable or unscientific means.

crystal gazer n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Encyclopedia

crystal gazing

divination of distant or future events based on visions seen in a ball of rock crystal. Divination based on an analysis of reflections in water, on polished metal, or on precious stones was practiced by early humans, who probably interpreted these phenomena as a vision of the spirit world. Scrying became widespread by the 5th century AD and was condemned by the medieval Christian church as the work of the devil.

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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