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necromancy

The art of revealing future events by means of a pretended communication with the dead; the black art; hence, magic in general; conjuration; enchantment. See black art. This palace standeth in the air, By necromancy placed there. (Drayton)

Origin: OE. Nigromaunce, nigromancie, OF. Nigromance, F. Necromance, necromancie, from L. Necromantia, Gr.; a dead body (akin to L. Necare to kill, Skr. Na to perish, vanish) _ divination, fr. Diviner, seer, akin to E. Mania. See Mania, and cf. Internecine, Noxious. The old spelling is due to confusion with L. Niger black. Hence the name black art.