Cleromancy

Any method of divination involving the throwing of small stones, sticks, bones, beans, pebbles, shells and beads have all been employed by various peoples in search of omens. Common in ancient Greece and Rome (casting lots with ankle bones of sheep). Also refers to divination by reading the rings from small pebbles thrown into water.

Cler"o*man`cy (?), n. [Gr. lot + -mancy; cf. F. cl'eromancie.]

A divination by throwing dice or casting lots.

 

© Webster 1913.