cledonomancy

Ancient Greek κληδών (klēdṓn, “an omen”) +‎ -mancy

cledonomancy (uncountable)

1. Divination through interpreting chance remarks or events.
   • 1911, Encyc. of Religion & Ethics:

     The consultant whispered his questions into the god's ear, then stopped his own ears, went out, and, when he got beyond the market-place, listened for chance words from passers-by. These were construed into an answer. This form of divination (cledonomancy) remained popular at all periods.

   • 1970, B. I. Rakoczi, Man, Myth & Magic v.:

     Pausanias (2nd century AD) gives an example of cledonomancy. A man was not sure whether to marry a young woman of his own clan or a rich woman of more exalted rank. While thinking over the problem, he heard a child at play with his fellows shout, 'Take care of yourself' which he at once understood to mean that he should marry the rich one!

• cledomancy
• cledonism