molybdomancy

From Ancient Greek μόλυβδος (mólubdos, “lead”) and the suffix -mancy. Probably after Greek μολυβδομαντεία (molybdomanteia) or French molybdomancie.[1]

molybdomancy (uncountable)

1. Divination by interpreting shapes formed when molten metal, typically lead or tin, is dropped into water.
   • 1957, Robert Plank, “Spontaneous Projection of Meaningful Forms”, in Journal of Projective Techniques‎, page 146:

     The place of molybdomancy is also to be located in the uncertain border area between spontaneous and solicited projection.

   • 1971 January, Tak Hallus, “Homage”, in Analog Science Fiction / Science Fact‎, page 67:

     There was a happy group in Tallahassee swapping wives on the basis of molybdomancy.

   • 2003, Raymond Buckland, The Fortune-Telling Book‎, page 199:

     Dropping hot lead or tin into water was another method occasionally employed by the Etruscans in a version of molybdomancy, much like ceromancy.

• 1727, Bailey, The Universal Etym. Eng. Dict.

  MOLUBDOMANCY [molybdomanteia of molybdos Lead, and manteia Divination, Gr.] a divining, an observing the motions, Figures, &c. of melted Lead.

• 1931, de Givry, Lock tr., Picture Museum of Sorcery

  Molybdomancy was divination by melted lead; drops of it were allowed to fall into water, and the resulting noises and hissings listened to.